Returning to Irigaray: Feminist Philosophy, Politics, and the Question of Unity (Suny Series in Gender Theory) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0791469204 ISBN 13: 9780791469200

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 2006

Synopsis

Leading scholars examine the relation between Irigaray’s early writings and her later, more political work.

Luce Irigaray is one of the most influential philosophers and theorists in the field of feminist thought, and her work is considered both revolutionary and controversial. This volume offers the first critical assessment of the relation of her early critical and poetic writings to her later political and practical philosophy. Contributors examine how the question of sexual difference has unfolded in a wealth of different directions in Irigaray’s later work, focusing on the areas of nature and technology, social and political theory and praxis, ethics, psychoanalysis, and phenomenology. They also address whether there has been a radical conceptual “turn” in Irigaray’s thought by exploring the idea of a “turn” as a return to themes that have concerned her all along. The essays contend that Irigaray’s writings should be read, criticized, or promoted within the context of her overall philosophical project.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Luce Irigaray is one of the most influential philosophers and theorists in the field of feminist thought, and her work is considered both revolutionary and controversial. This volume offers the first critical assessment of the relation of her early critical and poetic writings to her later political and practical philosophy. Contributors examine how the question of sexual difference has unfolded in a wealth of different directions in Irigaray's later work, focusing on the areas of nature and technology, social and political theory and praxis, ethics, psychoanalysis, and phenomenology. They also address whether there has been a radical conceptual "turn" in Irigaray's thought by exploring the idea of a "turn" as a return to themes that have concerned her all along. The essays contend that Irigaray's writings should be read, criticized, or promoted within the context of her overall philosophical project.

"The topic is significant and relevant, especially in order to connect theory and more practical, militant writings in an author whose importance is unquestionable. The unity of Irigaray's writings is certainly a question within the field of women's studies, but, more in general, the issue of how to concretize one's theoretical approach is a perennial interrogation for those philosophers who dare to accept the challenge of their times. In the passage from her earlier, theoretical writings to her later, more militant ones, Irigaray offers us an exemplification of how to engage one's epoch seriously, and this is what is under consideration in this volume." -- Silvia Benso, author of The Face of Things: A Different Side of Ethics

"This is an extremely important book for furthering discussion about the relationship between Irigaray's early and later work. It also addresses a question central to feminist philosophy: do identity politics work?" -- Danielle Poe, University of Dayton

Contributors include Debra Bergoffen, Maria C. Cimitile, Penelope Deutscher, Sara Heinämaa, Sara McNamara, Elaine P. Miller, Ann Murphy, Kelly Oliver, Catherine Peebles, Gail Schwab, Margaret Whitford, Emily Zakin, and Krzysztof Ziarek.

About the Author:

Maria C. Cimitile is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Grand Valley State University.

Elaine P. Miller is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Miami University in Ohio and author of The Vegetative Soul: From Philosophy of Nature to Subjectivity in the Feminine, also published by SUNY Press.

About this edition

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0791469204
• ISBN 13: 9780791469200
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 342
• Editor: Cimitile Maria C., Miller Elaine P.