Feminism & Freedom
How do women become "the other" in society? What are the ongoing difficulties of resistance?
How can we seize freedom?
Where: World Cup Coffee, 1740 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR
When: Saturday afternoons
(Note: our middle session is at a different time because our room was booked)
Workshop Description:
In 1949, Simone de Beauvoir published the ground breaking, 700+ page tour de force of feminist theory called The Second Sex. In it she famously announced: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman,” calling into question the long-held belief that all the characteristics of womanhood were ultimately determined by one’s biology.
Drawing on the existential philosophy of her long-time partner in thought, politics, and life − Jean-Paul Sartre − Beauvoir argued that women were born free beings, like all human beings, but that women’s freedom was so severely limited by their social-historical situation, that they were systematically denied subject-hood and made into the inferior “other.” In painstaking detail, Beauvoir showed how women were trained to accept and perform their inferior status from early childhood.
In our workshop we’ll focus on the existential roots of feminism and the ongoing difficulties of liberation. We’ll assess how far we’ve come and how much is still the same since Beauvoir’s analysis, and we’ll relate her insights to the current feminist resurgence in the worldwide women’s marches and #metoo movement. Insightful newspaper articles that invite discussion on the big questions arising from these contemporary movements are welcome from participants as supplemental materials.
About Philosophy Workshops:
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, self-examination, and practical application. Philosophy Workshops are led by Monica Vilhauer, a philosophy professor committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
Is this your first philosophy workshop? Learn more about what to expect.
Calendar:
Saturday, March 31:
Short lecture on Sartre's Existentialism, and discussion of the Introduction to The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 20 pages).
Saturday, April 7:
Discussion of selections from “The Independent Woman” from The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 25 pages).
Saturday, April 14:
Discussion of the Conclusion to The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 25 pages).
Preparation:
I will email a pdf of the reading to those who are registered. The book we are using, in case you already have it or want to buy a copy, is The Second Sex, by Simone de Beauvoir, Vintage Books. 1989.
For each meeting, participants should read the selection we'll be discussing in advance, consider some questions I offer to help us focus and dig into our conversation, and come with some marked passages they'd like to talk about.
Cost: $110 (for three afternoon philosophy sessions)
Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. Thanks!
When: Saturday afternoons
- March 31, 2018 (1:00-3:00)
- April 7, 2018 (12:00-2:00)
- April 14, 2018 (1:00-3:00)
(Note: our middle session is at a different time because our room was booked)
Workshop Description:
In 1949, Simone de Beauvoir published the ground breaking, 700+ page tour de force of feminist theory called The Second Sex. In it she famously announced: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman,” calling into question the long-held belief that all the characteristics of womanhood were ultimately determined by one’s biology.
Drawing on the existential philosophy of her long-time partner in thought, politics, and life − Jean-Paul Sartre − Beauvoir argued that women were born free beings, like all human beings, but that women’s freedom was so severely limited by their social-historical situation, that they were systematically denied subject-hood and made into the inferior “other.” In painstaking detail, Beauvoir showed how women were trained to accept and perform their inferior status from early childhood.
In our workshop we’ll focus on the existential roots of feminism and the ongoing difficulties of liberation. We’ll assess how far we’ve come and how much is still the same since Beauvoir’s analysis, and we’ll relate her insights to the current feminist resurgence in the worldwide women’s marches and #metoo movement. Insightful newspaper articles that invite discussion on the big questions arising from these contemporary movements are welcome from participants as supplemental materials.
About Philosophy Workshops:
Philosophy Workshops emphasize discussion, life experience, self-examination, and practical application. Philosophy Workshops are led by Monica Vilhauer, a philosophy professor committed to accessible language and open conversation. No prior philosophical training is necessary . . . just an open mind, a respectful approach to others, and a sense of humor!
Is this your first philosophy workshop? Learn more about what to expect.
Calendar:
Saturday, March 31:
Short lecture on Sartre's Existentialism, and discussion of the Introduction to The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 20 pages).
Saturday, April 7:
Discussion of selections from “The Independent Woman” from The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 25 pages).
Saturday, April 14:
Discussion of the Conclusion to The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 25 pages).
Preparation:
I will email a pdf of the reading to those who are registered. The book we are using, in case you already have it or want to buy a copy, is The Second Sex, by Simone de Beauvoir, Vintage Books. 1989.
For each meeting, participants should read the selection we'll be discussing in advance, consider some questions I offer to help us focus and dig into our conversation, and come with some marked passages they'd like to talk about.
Cost: $110 (for three afternoon philosophy sessions)
- The workshop has limited space. Register today to save yourself a spot!
- In case of cancellation due to low enrollment, you will receive a full refund through PayPal.
Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. Thanks!
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