Feminist interpretations of W.V. Quine / edited by Lynn Hankinson Nelson and Jack Nelson.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Nelson, Lynn Hankinson, 1948-

Nelson, Jack, 1944-

Series:

Re-reading the canon

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quine, W. V. (Willard Van Orman).

Quine, W. V.

Feminist theory.

Physical Description:

xi, 436 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

University Park, Pa. : Pennsylvania State University Press, [2003]

Summary:

As one of the preeminent philosophers of the twentieth century, W. V. Quine (1908-2000) made groundbreaking contributions to the philosophy of science, mathematical logic, and the philosophy of language. This collection of essays examines Quine's views, particularly his holism and naturalism, for their value (and their limitations) to feminist theorizing today.

Some contributors to this volume see Quine as severely challenging basic tenets of the logico-empiricist tradition in the philosophy of science -- the analytic/synthetic distinction, verificationism, foundationalism -- and accept various of his positions as potential resources for feminist critique. Other contributors regard Quine as an unrepentant empiricist and, unlike feminists who seek to use or extend his arguments, they interpret his positions as far less radical and more problematic. In particular, critics and advocates of Quine's arguments that the philosophy of science should be "naturalized" -- understood and pursued as an enterprise continuous with the sciences proper -- disagree deeply about whether such a naturalized philosophy is "philosophy enough." Central issues at stake in these disagreements reflect current questions of special interest to feminists and also bridge the analytic and postmodern traditions. They include questions about whether and how the philosophy of science, as a form of practice, is or can be normative, as well as questions concerning the implications of Quine's philosophy of language for the transparency and stability of meaning. In representing feminist philosophy centrally engaged with the analytic tradition, this volume is important not only for what it contributes to the understanding of Quine and naturalized epistemology but also for what it accomplishes in working against restrictive conceptions of the place of feminism within the discipline.

Contents:

Who knows : from Quine to feminist empiricism / Lynn Hankinson Nelson

Quine as feminist : the radical import of naturalized epistemology / Louise M. Antony

A case for a responsibly rationalized feminist epistemology / Maureen Linker

What is natural about epistemology naturalized? / Lorraine Code

Feminist epistemology and naturalized epistemology : an uneasy alliance / Phyllis Rooney

Naturalizing Quine / Kathryn Pyne Addelson

Feminism and naturalism : if asked for theories, just say 'no' / Paul A. Roth

The last dogma of empiricism? / Jack Nelson

Feminist epistemology naturalized / Richmond Campbell

Quine and feminist theory / Jane Duran

Feminist naturalized philosophy of science / Lynn Hankinson Nelson.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page [417-419) and index.

ISBN:

0271022949

0271022957

OCLC:

52091278