Saturday's post finding that only 16% of Authors in Elite Philosophy Journals Are Women brought out the misogynist bros on Twitter, but also some remarks from well-meaning people along the lines of "maybe women (ethnic minorities, etc.) just aren't that interested in philosophy".
I expressed my rejection of this perspective in a post for the Blog of the APA in 2020. Perhaps it warrants reposting:
There is nothing about philosophy, as a type of inquiry into fundamental facts about our world, that should make it more attractive to White men than to Black women. Philosophical reflection is an essential part of the human condition, of interest to people of all cultures, races, classes, and social groups. If our discipline and society were in a healthy, egalitarian condition, we should, in fact, expect people from minority groups to be overrepresented in academic philosophy, rather than underrepresented. Academic philosophy should celebrate diversity of opinion, encourage challenges to orthodoxy, and reward fresh perspectives that come from inhabiting cultures and having life experiences different from the mainstream. We should be eager, not reluctant, to hear from a wide range of voices. We should especially welcome, rather than create an inhospitable or cool environment for, people with unusual or minority or culturally atypical or historically underrepresented experiences and worldviews. The productive engine of philosophy depends on novelty and difference.
10 comments:
Hello Dr. Schwitzgebel. Thank you for the post, and I hope all is well. In the post, you seem to argue that because philosophy should be equally interesting to people of any identity, we should expect minority folks to be represented not only equally, but disproportionately in philosophy. If that's right (please correct me if it isn't), I have two questions. (1) Isn't the view you reject—that the differing rates do not indicate prejudice—consistent with the claim that philosophy is in fact of universal interest? It seems like we would need to add a further claim to make the inference work; namely, that people *are* equally interested. Otherwise, I could see all sorts of reasons to think that folks (e.g., women) are prudently and wisely choosing not to go on to PhD study when, say, law school is on the table. (2) Why would we expect these kinds of folks to be overrepresented? Is it that their experiences inherently call them to reflection? It seems like your reasoning only suggests that they'd be equally represented in more ideal circumstances, so I'd be interested to hear why we should expect more than equal distribution. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Female-Male-Offspring is foundationalism for the harmony of knowledge, understanding and humanity in our being alive; women know, men understand, offspring evolve...the way of knowledge is passive, understanding is active...
Why women and minorities have, for long, been less participatory in philosophy, I can't explain. Such attempts, including mine, have been, certainly, flawed. I will proffer one final thought, dangling my toes in that pond. This examines the element of risk, which, in turn seems connected with interest. That has, with little doubt, been considered elsewhere and when. I hold that philosophy is risky because it entails much study and sacrifice and a doctoral degree is only the beginning of all that. Further---though I don't have facts---the discipline does not appear to offer the financial security of other professions.
The upheaval(s) around philosophy in universities has not helped.
I think average people, at what ever age, want to go where prospects for financial security are most lucrative. This has always been the case, as far as I know. So, take this with a grain of salt, if you will. I have no other thoughts or insights into the matter. Thanks!
Be careful as the "pond" belongs to them...
Yes. As it has been written, so let it be done. Thanks.
Gemini and Me: "Equality security" must be understood not just as the absence of direct threats, but also as the presence of social and economic conditions that foster a sense of safety and well-being for everyone, regardless of their position within the place."...to apply to philosophy and 3 equal branches of government...
Alright. I admit to using the *piranha pond* metaphor elsewhere. But, after reviewing my comments on other blog entries, here and elsewhere, I found I had not used it in comment(s) on THIS post. So, what does your cryptic comment refer to? I do not know. Are you, inferentially, extending my comments to other matters, or, are you merely passing intellectual gas? Presuming you are a human, and Gemini is not, I respect your humanity. Otherwise, no. Intellectual gas = word salad, in my humble opinion. I read it nearly everyday. Best Wishes, Anon. Capiche?
Oops! My bad on the previous, unpublished comment here. I DID mention "the pond" in the comment to which you, Anon, refer. I don't think that error makes much difference. My bottom line reasoning is not altered, one iota. Philosophy is risky business. Most people, except for incurable idealists, just don't want to be involved. A good friend studied philosophy at university...taught it, for a time, later, switching to psychology and neuroscience. Oh, and he does not live in the USA anymore, either. I can't fault him for that. The pond is now an ocean---many, many fish. Just sayin'.
After note. This is for anyone interested. The friend I mentioned lives with his wonderful wife in Ecuador. They are conscientious expatriates, having left California because they were mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore. Because of his success as thinker, writer and professor at three or more American universities, they were prepared for the exit. He has, far as I know, survived a serious health crisis. She is seventeen years his junior, so barring bad luck, or revolution which could kill them both, she will outlive my dear friend. Wish I could live there, but is too late for that. I have my own issues with health...money is not the problem---I am...there it is.
Warmest regards to all,
PDV.
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