Fundamental Feminism: Contesting the Core Concepts of Feminist Theory

by Grant,Judith

• ISBN13: 9780415908269
• ISBN10: 0415908264
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1993-11-29
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

What makes feminist theory feminist? How did so many different feminisms come to exist? InFundamental Feminism,Judith Grant addresses these questions by offering a critical exploration of the evolution of feminist theory and the state of feminist thinking today. Grant provides a lively assessment of the major problems of contemporary feminist thought and identifies a set of common assumptions that link the wide variety of feminist theories in existence.Fundamental Feminismcalls for nothing less than a substantial revision of the core concepts responsible for shaping feminist theory as we now know it. Grant identifies and critiques three core concepts of feminist theory--"woman," "experience," and "personal politics"--from their origins in pamphlets and writings from the early women's liberation movement to their current construction in feminist thought. She then connects a number of major debates in feminism today to the longstanding influence of thesecore assumptions. These debates include the hegemony of the white female perspective, the tension between anti-pornography and pro-sex feminists, and the discussions surrounding the challenges presented by postmodernism. Grant gives readers valuable insight into the dilemma facing feminist theory today.Fundamental Feminismis a thorough and provocative analysis that will be essential reading for anyone interested in the future of feminist theory and the power of feminist politics.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction	p. 1
Inventing Feminist Theory	p. 17
Feminist Strategies: From Core Concepts to Feminist Theory	p. 41
Feminism and Epistemology	p. 89
Feminism and Postmodernism	p. 127
Solutions: A Basic Outline of the Issues and Some Suggestions	p. 153
Notes	p. 193
Index	p. 219
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