Women of Color and Philosophy: A Critical Reader [Paperback]

Naomi Zack (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631218661 | ISBN-13: 978-0631218661 | Publication Date: July 21, 2000

Philosophy is in its fourth millennium but this collection is the first of its kind. Twelve contemporary women of color who are American academic philosophers consider the methods and subjects of the discipline from perspectives partly informed by their experiences as African American, Asian American, Latina, Mixed Race and Native American.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this unique collection, Naomi Zack invites the twelve members of this select group of women of color to reflect on what they and their colleagues do, as philosophers. Their original and sometimes ground-breaking contributions critique traditional academic philosophy, apply traditional philosophical methods to topics of social relevance hitherto ignored by philosophers, and interpret traditional philosophy in ways that suggest new areas of study." Alison M. Jaggar, University of Colorado at Boulder

"This is a splendid book. It will be important to research and teaching in feminist philosophy, philosophy of race, and other women's studies and race courses." Sandra Harding, University of California, Los Angeles

"The growing recognition of the important contributions of women philosophers of color, past and present, is a sign that there may still be hope for philosophers to transcend some of their prejudices. Blackwell has offered the profession a chance by publishing this pioneering volume that I am sure will stimulate research on the work of women philosophers included and those who I am sure will appear in subsequent volumes influenced by this important work. It will be a valuable addition to any library and certainly class discussions of contemporary engagements with ideas." Lewis R. Gordon, Brown University and the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica

Book Description

Twelve contemporary American philosophers consider the methods & subjects of the discipline from perspectives partly informed by their experiences as African American, Asian American, Latina, Mixed Race & Native American Women.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (July 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631218661
• ISBN-13: 978-0631218661
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,391,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXTREMELY HELPFUL, AND MUCH-NEEDED COLLECTION, October 15, 2009

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Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Women of Color and Philosophy: A Critical Reader (Paperback)

Naomi Zack (author/editor of such significant philosophical works as Philosophy of Science and Race, Thinking About Race, and Race and Mixed Race) has assembled an exceptional collection of essays by women of color, which includes essays by such distinguished female philosophers as Joy James, Adrian M.S. Piper, Anita Allen, and others, as well as an interview with Angela Davis.

Some of the essays are, "'Discredited Knowledge' in the nonfiction of Toni Morrison," "Interracial Marriage: Folk Ethics in Contemporary Philosophy," and "Asian Women: Invisibility, Locations, and Claims to Philosophy." The breadth and depth of subject matter covered is great.

In Naomi Zack's Introduction, she notes, "being a philosopher and a woman of color is an unlikely event. The current membership of the American Philosophical Association is approximately 10,000. For several years, it has been estimated that African-Americans comprise a little over 1 percent of that membership. The number of women in academic philosophy is commonly believed to be less than 10 percent of the APA population, although the number of women awarded Ph.D.s in philosophy has been increasing in recent years ... My most liberal estimate of the number of women in color who are presently employed as philosophers would be thirty (out of 10,000)." Sadly, she observes, "As of now, there is no tradition or body of work that could be called the work of women of color in philosophy."

Many poignant passages are found throughout this book: e.g., Among the problems faced by nonwhite women in philosophy is "the absence of assistance, and the lack of sympathy to be expected from white or male colleagues (though, thank goodness, not all are this clueless!) After raising the issue of racism among her students at a faculty meeting, (Patricia) Williams reports: 'I was told by a white professor that "we" should be able to break the anxiety by just laughing about it.' Another nodded in agreement and added that, 'The key is not to take this thing too seriously.'"

This is a very important collection, that should be read by anyone interested in philosophy, ethnic studies, African-American or Africana philosophy, women's studies, or life in general. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!