Philosophy for Girls

Description

Could you name ten women philosophers? Could you name three? Most people couldn't. For thousands of years, women have been relegated to the margins of philosophy, their contributions too often absorbed into their male counterparts' work, smothered, or simply made impossible to pursue. This volume aims to redress the imbalance in gender parity that persists well into the 21st century by offering a range of essays written exclusively by women and directed toward girls and young women interested in philosophy and analytical thinking. Divided into four sections that correspond to major fields in philosophy—metaphysics, epistemology, social and political philosophy, and ethics—the essays explore a wide range of topics that will interest young readers and entice them to learn more. Philosophy for Girls gives a tour of the diverse landscape of philosophy, inspiring a new generation of women philosophers.

• Provides an introductory philosophy text comprising chapters written exclusively by women philosophers
• Organised in four sections which correspond to major fields in philosophy—metaphysics, epistemology, social and political philosophy, and ethics—with each chapter providing novel ways of understanding those fields
• Women's voices dominate the chapters, with nearly all primary and secondary sources coming from women in the history of philosophy and a diverse set of contemporary women philosophers
• Written in clear and engaging prose while maintaining serious academic rigor
• Empowers girls and young women as learners and knowers by encouraging them to assess, challenge, question, and affirm their experiences and ideas through the expertise and tools provided by women in academic philosophy

About the Author(s)

Edited by Melissa M. Shew, Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Marquette University, and Edited by Kimberly K. Garchar, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Kent State University

Melissa M. Shew is Visiting Professor of Philosophy at Marquette University. Her expertise and interests are wide-ranging from ancient Greek to contemporary philosophy, philosophy of literature and the arts, and pedagogy. In her scholarship as with her students, she usually finds her way back to authenticity, dialogue, chance, and understanding the power of a moment. Dr. Shew has taught at the university level for fifteen years and also taught for five years at an all-girls college preparatory high school, living out her firm belief in empowering young women and girls through education. She came to philosophy through literature, music, myth, politics, and the arts.

Kimberly K. Garchar is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Kent State University and an associated faculty member at Northeast Ohio Medical University. She found her way to philosophy via mathematics and received her Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Oregon in 2006, after which she spent two years as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Colorado Denver and Health Sciences Center. Dr. Garchar specializes in American pragmatism, ethics, and clinical ethics, particularly in the areas of death and dying. She has focused on issues of gender and gender equity, both in philosophy and academia, throughout her career.

Table of Contents

Introduction, Melissa M. Shew and Kimberly K. Garchar
Prologue: Persephone: The Invitation, Melissa M. Shew
Section I: Self
Chapter 1: Identity: Being-in-the-World and Becoming, Meena Dhanda
Chapter 2: Autonomy: Being True to Ourselves, Serene Khader
Chapter 3: Pride: The Complexities of Virtue and Vice, Claudia Mills
Chapter 4: Questions: The Heart of Philosophy, Melissa M. Shew
Chapter 5: Self-Knowledge: The Importance of Reflection, Karen Stohr
Section II: Knowing
Chapter 6: Logic: A Feminist Approach, Gillian Russell
Chapter 7: Doubt: Knowing and Skepticism, Julianne Chung
Chapter 8: Science: Unmasking Objectivity, Subrena Smith
Chapter 9: Technology: Experience and Mediated Realities, Robin Zebrowski
Chapter 10: Art: Seeing, Thinking, Making, Patricia Locke
Section III: Social Structure and Power Relations
Chapter 11: Credibility: Resisting Doubts, Reimagining Knowledge, Monica Poole
Chapter 12: Language: Power Plays in Communication, Elisabeth Camp
Chapter 13: Race: The Ontological Crisis of the "Human", Shannon Winnubst
Chapter 14: Gender: To the Binary and Beyond, Charlotte Witt
Chapter 15: Recognition: Living a Queer-Alien-Mixed Consciousness, Shanti Chu
Section IV: Contemplation in Action
Chapter 16: Anger: Embracing the Medusa Trope as an Act of Resistance, Myisha Cherry
Chapter 17: Consciousness-Raising: Social Groups and Change, TabathaLeggett
Chapter 18: Tzedek: Doing What Must Be Done, Devora Shapiro
Chapter 19: Empathy: Entangled Human and Nonhuman Relationships, Lori Gruen
Chapter 20: Courage: Meliorism in Motion, Kimberly K. Garchar

Reviews

"Though the volume centers on the idea of initiating girls and young women into philosophy and the tradition of thoughtful Persephone, the text is important for boys and men of all ages because it highlights gender biases and gaps in philosophy as well as recognizes the contribution of female scholars. The essays are well written and interesting, and will be significant in the fields of philosophy, women's studies, and gender issues. The text is accessible for those outside the field of philosophy as well. The etext and paperback are reasonably priced. This reviewer will be employing the book in her women philosophers course. A good resource for those who are interested in contemplation, identity, reasoning, and philosophical thinking... Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; researchers and faculty; general readers." - Choice

"The chapters are written in an inviting and encouraging style and come close to what I would have liked 'had existed when you were discovering your own questions'. They encourage the reader to think and maintain a healthy dose of self-confidence. Is there more to wish from an introduction to philosophy? I don't think so...To the boys who turn away from a 'for girls' book like this one I would say: 'Come and read it; it will make you guys think more.' My verdict: highly recommended." - Pieter Mostert, The Philosophy Foundation Blog

"[T]his book is a proof of concept that philosophy loses out when it marginalizes, or when it only treats one kind of life as the default, yet claim to universalise on that basis. The writers in this collection ... invite the reader to wonder, to ask further questions, and to perhaps add their own voices to the ongoing philosophical conversations. Philosophy for Girls provides us with a gift, namely a vision of philosophy as a chorus of voices that is enriched rather than diluted by inclusion." - Audrey Yap, Philosophers' Magazine

"A fantastic resource and a great service to the discipline and teaching of philosophy. I am both personally and professionally grateful to the editors and the authors for their work. The essays from this rich, inviting, pedagogically-motivated introduction to philosophy will certainly be making their way onto my syllabi and I imagine those of many other philosophy teachers for years to come." - Rebecca G. Scott, Harper College, Teaching Philosophy