Routledge Feminism and Modern Philosophy: An introduction (Understanding Feminist Philosophy)

A feminist approach to the history of modern philosophy reveals new insights into the lives and works of major figures such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and David Hume, and is crucial to an appreciation of the advent of feminist philosophy. Feminism and Modern Philosophy introduces students to the main thinkers and themes of modern philosophy from different feminist perspectives, and highlights the role of gender in studying classic philosophical texts.This book shows how the important figures in the history of modern philosophy have been reinterpreted by feminist theory, including:* feminist critiques of Descartes' rationalism* Locke's 'state of nature' as it relates to the family* the charges of misogyny levelled against KantIn addition, the book introduces lesser-studied texts and interpretations, such as:* the metaphysics of Leibniz's contemporary, Anne Conway* Annette Baier's recent presentation and defence of HumeFeminism and Modern Philosophy: An Introduction is written in an accessible and lively style, and each chapter ends with a helpful annotated guide to further reading. It will be appropriate for philosophy as well as gender studies courses looking at the development of modern western thought. Review "This is an highly readable book which will appeal to both specialist and beginner. I would recommend this book to all who would like to learn about feminist approaches to the history of philosophy." -Alessandra Tanesini, Cardiff University "Andrea Nye has written an engaging and nuanced account of feminist encounters with the Moderns, and this is a book one can recommend to students of philosophy at all levels. It is well written and philosophically subtle." -Miranda Fricker, Birkbeck College, University of London About the Author Andrea Nye is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her recent publications include Philosophy of Language: The Big Questions (1998) and The Princess and the Philosopher: The Letters of Elizabeth Palatine to Rene Descartes (1999).