Ethics Rooted in Feminist Philosophy
Lesson Objectives
Appreicate the diminished role that women have historically held in Philosophy
Appreciate the sociocultural history of Feminist thought in 20th century America
Understand how Noddings finds questions of Ethics rooted in the Other
Understand the Ethics of Care, Natural Care, and ultimately Ethical Care
Appreciate what the Ethics of Care look like in real-world practice
Understand some of the disadvantages of Care Ethics
Key Terms
Feminism
Abolitionist
First-Wave Feminism
Prohibition
Flapper Girl
Cult of Domesticity
Second-Wave Feminism
Third-Wave Feminism
Post Third-Wave Feminism
Intersectionality
Misandry
Care Ethics
Universal Care
Women in Western Philosophy
What is Feminism?
• Feminism is the position that women have been historically marginalized and ought to also have their voices heard
• Feminism is pro-woman the same way that Civil Rights was pro-Black — advocating for one group doesn't negate the other
• Feminism does not posit that there are no gender differences
• Otherwise, there would be no talk of "women" & "men," etc
• Feminism takes the identity & role of women as its focus
Male Philosophers through the Ages
• Aristotle: women are not as rational as men
• Kant: women lack “civil personality”
• Rousseau: women have different virtues and are more suited for the home
The Need for Modern Feminist Thought
• Feminists blame cultural conditioning for the perpetuation of gender stereotypes
• A feminist perspective can contribute to the field of Ethics in new ways