Three Feminist Philosophers On the Woman Question

Read and listen to the full piece over on the Philosophy Publics Substack.

This piece explores the contributions of Simone de Beauvoir, Luce Irigaray, and Judith Butler to feminist thought, focusing on their differing interpretations of gender. Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex” introduces the idea that one is not born but becomes a woman, challenging traditional notions of femininity as innate. Irigaray critiques Beauvoir, arguing for a recognition of women as truly Other, beyond mere opposition to men, suggesting a radical reevaluation of femininity as valuable in its own right. Butler takes this further by questioning the very distinction between sex and gender, proposing that what we consider to be sex may have been gender all along, highlighting the cultural construction of both concepts. Through these discussions, the piece delves into the evolution of feminist philosophy, showing how these three feminists have shaped and redefined our understanding of gender and identity.

Read and listen to the full piece over on the Philosophy Publics Substack.