APA Newsletters Volume 06, Number 1 Fall 2006 NEWSLETTER ON FEMINISM AND PHILOSOPHY FROM THE EDITOR, SALLY J. SCHOLZ ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER ON FEMINISM AND PHILOSOPHY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION NEWS FROM THE COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, ROSEMARIE TONG ARTICLES SHARON CRASNOW “Activist Research and the Objectivity of Science” CARMELA EPRIGHT “Praxis and the “F” Word: Young Women, Feminism, Fear” BOOK REVIEWS Naomi Zack: Inclusive Feminism: A Third Wave Theory of Women’s Commonality REVIEWED BY CLEA F. REES Sharyn Clough: Beyond Epistemology: A Pragmatist Approach to Feminist Science Studies REVIEWED BY NANCY M. WILLIAMS © 2006 by The American Philosophical Association ISSN: 1067-9464 Cassandra Pinnick, Noretta Koertge, and Robert Almeder: Scrutinizing Feminist Epistemology: An Examination of Gender in Science REVIEWED BY SHARYN CLOUGH Christina Erneling and David Martel, eds.: The Mind as a Scientific Object REVIEWED BY CARMEL FORDE Elizabeth Grosz: Time Travels: Feminism, Nature, Power REVIEWED BY CATHERINE VILLANUEVA GARDNER Rebecca Kukla: Mass Hysteria: Medicine, Culture, and Mothers’ Bodies REVIEWED BY LAURA NEWHART Maurice Hamington and Dorothy C. Miller, eds.: Socializing Care REVIEWED BY LAUREN FLEMING Lisa Adkins and Beverly Skeggs: Feminism after Bourdieu REVIEWED BY CHRISTINA SMERICK Maria Falco, ed.: Feminist Interpretations of Niccolò Macchiavelli REVIEWED BY MINDY PEDEN Peter Knox-Shaw: Jane Austen and the Enlightenment REVIEWED BY MONICA SHORES Lorraine Code, ed.: Feminist Interpretations of Hans-Georg Gadamer REVIEWED BY JAMEY FINDLING Jane Duran: Eight Women Philosophers: Theory, Politics, and Feminism REVIEWED BY MAURICE HAMINGTON Sally J. Scholz and Shannon M. Mussett, eds.: The Contradictions of Freedom: Philosophical Essays on Simone de Beauvoir’s The Mandarins REVIEWED BY ROBIN MARGARET JAMES Margaret A. Simons, Marybeth Timmerman, and Mary Beth Mader, eds.: Simone de Beauvoir: Philosophical Writings REVIEWED BY DERA SIPE CONTRIBUTORS APA NEWSLETTER ON Feminism and Philosophy Sally J. Scholz, Editor Fall 2006 Volume 06, Number 1 careful analysis of class and race bias in a liberal feminist claim ROM THE DITOR for women’s right or duty to work in the paid labor force. They F E also reveal a sort of paradox as the goals of feminism appear accomplished to some, while others among us view sexist oppression as well-entrenched and in need of further feminist More than one popular media outlet has asked whether response. feminism is dead. Certainly we know that rumors of its death Epright examines this phenomenon of the paradox of have been greatly exaggerated. But what some of the queries feminism as advocate for personal choice by sharing some of reveal is wonderment about activism. Activists of every sort— her students’ responses to an introduction to feminist theory not just feminist—have sought innovative and creative avenues class. Epright’s sometimes wry look at how feminism is received for effecting social change. Protesting has not lost its power, but by conservative college students adds a subtlety to the analysis, door-to-door organizing, email campaigns, online petitions and including the students’ own reluctance to recognize how blogs, civic organizations and lobbying, and even legislative oppression might structure their lives. She argues, “Because initiatives have come to replace some of the in-your-face/in- feminist theory recognizes that there are contradictory and your-street political activism that characterized earlier years in confusing questions to be asked about women’s experience, the feminist campaign. Moreover, as feminist theory continues embracing feminism as a way of being in the world, as opposed to make in-roads in theory and practice, activism changes or to merely viewing it as a way of reading and thinking through adapts in order to seek new goals or advance new ideals. texts, would require them to accept more ambiguity and tolerate Sharon Crasnow asks about the proper role of activism more complexity than their familial, religious, and cultural in scientific inquiry in her article, “Activist Research and the conceptions will permit.” As teachers of feminist theory, many Objectivity of Science.” Contrary to the more common view of us have confronted the dilemma Epright discusses. Her article that activist commitments “impede gathering, interpreting, offers a helpful way to think through our obligations as teachers, and evaluating evidence and thus compromise objectivity,” activists, feminists, and philosophers. Crasnow argues that “activism is one of the means through The rest of the issue features fourteen book reviews ranging which standpoint can be achieved.” She employs the particular from feminist philosophy of science to maternal bodies and case of an anthropologist who, because of her activism with care, from feminist critiques and appropriations of canonical the women of her study community, came to see not just the figures to contributions of specific feminist philosophers. effects of oppressive practices but also the social structure that Reviewers do us all a tremendous service, and I would like maintained it. Crasnow’s article is suggestive on a number to express my gratitude to the many people who have written of levels. In addition to encouraging scholars to see the reviews for this Newsletter. New books continue to come in—a practical challenges of their theories, it expands what might sign of our ever-present activism within the academy—and new be understood as activism. Can our scholarship be seen as reviewers are needed. If you would like to write a review, please activism insofar as it pushes the boundaries of traditional theory send me your CV by email. This is an excellent opportunity for or challenges oppressive structures within that theory? established scholars and graduate students alike. Carmela Epright’s comments in “Praxis and the ‘F’ Word: Young Women, Feminism, Fear” come at an interesting time. Endnotes A recent article in Newsweek magazine featuring a discussion 1. “Fast Chat: Managing Mommies,” Newsweek, (June 19, 2006): with Linda Hirshman sparked numerous hostile responses.1 10. Hirshman’s book is Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women Hirshman had said that women must work outside the home of the World (New York: Viking, 2006). in order to have a political voice. Most of the letters in response 2. Letters: “The Mommy Wars Rage On,” Newsweek, (July 10, claimed that feminism is about choice, and women’s decision 2006): 26 & 30. to stay at home should be affirmed by feminists rather than 3. Ibid., 26. disparaged.2 As one letter writer put it, the view that women 4. Ibid., 30. must work outside the home “is extremely skewed and goes against the entire concept of what feminism stands for. My understanding of feminism is that it’s the right for a woman to choose the path that is best for her, whether that be working ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER ON a full-time job or being a full-time mom.”3 Another indicated that her experiences in parent organizations and community FEMINISM AND PHILOSOPHY volunteer opportunities gave her the political power and social honor Hirshman claimed was only possible through paid work.4 These letters might be written off as simplistic understandings The Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy is sponsored by the of feminism, but that might be a mistake. They offer sometimes APA Committee on the Status of Women (CSW). The Newsletter — APA Newsletter, Fall 2006, Volume 06, Number 1 — is designed to provide an introduction to recent philosophical organized a panel on “Women’s Choices: Family Matters in work that addresses issues of gender. None of the varied the Profession” and a panel on “Publishing as a Feminist” at philosophical views presented by authors of Newsletter articles the 2006 Pacific Division meeting. Anita Superson organized a necessarily reflects the views of any or all of the members of panel on “Teaching in a Climate of Conservation” and a panel on the Committee on the Status of Women, including the editor(s) “Feminism and Disability” at the 2006 Central Division meeting. of the Newsletter, nor does the committee advocate any Among the co-sponsors of one or more of these panels were particular type of feminist philosophy. We advocate only that the Committee on Inclusiveness, the Committee for the Defense serious philosophical attention be given to issues of gender of Professional Rights of Philosophers, and the Committee on and that claims of gender bias in philosophy receive full and Philosophy and Law. The CSW makes a point of collaborating fair consideration. whenever possible with other committees attentive to the voices and interests of women philosophers. As usual, the CSW focused some attention on (1) structural issues such as the Committee on Committees’ criteria for SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND selection of new committee members and chairs and (2) financial issues such as the size of the annual budgets provided INFORMATION by the National Office to the various standing and diversity committees. In the main, however, the CSW reflected on the fact that despite all the progress women in the profession 1. Purpose: The purpose of the Newsletter is to publish have made, philosophy remains what may be the most male- information about the status of women in philosophy and populated field in the humanities. According to available APA to make the resources of feminist philosophy more widely data, a persistent 75 percent male/25 percent female breakdown available. The Newsletter contains discussions of recent seems to be our profession’s continuing fate. Moreover, as developments in feminist philosophy and related work in other Margaret Urban Walker has noted, a “discussive/professional disciplines, literature overviews and book reviews, suggestions tipping point,” at which women’s ways of thinking, doing, and for eliminating gender bias in the traditional philosophy speaking are just as likely to be the order of the day as men’s, curriculum, and reflections on feminist pedagogy. It also informs does not occur until a profession is well over 30 percent female, the profession about the work of the APA Committee on the most usually 50 percent female.