Feminism & Freedom
How do women become “the other” in society? What are the ongoing difficulties of resistance? How can we seize our freedom?
What: A Curious Soul Philosophy workshop
Where: Online via Zoom
When: 3 Saturdays, new dates TBA
What Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
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 are 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 are born free beings, like all human beings, but that women’s freedom has been so severely limited by their social-historical situation that they are systematically denied subject-hood and made into the inferior “other.” In painstaking detail, Beauvoir showed how women are 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. And we’ll consider how Beauvoir’s insights relate 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, and practical application. They are led by philosophy professors 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!
About Your Workshop Leader:
Monica Vilhauer, Ph.D. is a former professor of philosophy and the founder of Curious Soul Philosophy. She’s committed to the practical value of philosophy for everyday life, and she’s always looking for ways to move philosophy beyond academic settings and into the community. She does this by offering workshops, retreats, and individual philosophical counseling through Curious Soul.
The Theory and the Lab:
There are two portions of this discussion-based workshop: 1) the Theory, and 2) the Lab.
In the Theory portion of the workshop (the first half of each session) we’ll work to understand key concepts from our reading for the day and from supplementary mini-lectures given by the workshop leader. In the Lab portion of the workshop (the second half) we will reflect on the ways in which the theory applies to our own personal and political struggles. We will devise “experiments” for putting key concepts into practice in our lives, and we will discuss with each other how our experiments work out.
Calendar:
Week 1: Short lecture on Sartre’s Existentialism, and discussion of the Introduction to The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 20 pages).
Week 2: Discussion of selections from “The Independent Woman” from The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 25 pages).
Week 3: Discussion of the Conclusion to The Second Sex (pdf provided, about 25 pages).
Preparation:
Monica will email pdfs 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 in advance the selection of text we’ll be discussing, consider some questions Monica will send by email to help us focus, and come with some marked passages to talk about.
Cost per person: $200 (for three 2-hour philosophy sessions)
- The workshop has limited space. Register today to save yourself a spot!
- Deadline to register: TBA
- Register by clicking the button below and following instructions to use PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, PayPal still allows you to pay using a credit card.
Registration is now closed.