New Books in Critical Theory

Katharine Jenkins, "Feminist Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford UP, 2025)

Oct 1, 2025
Katharine Jenkins, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Glasgow specializing in feminist philosophy, dives into the core ideas of her new work. She examines key topics like gender oppression, the intersectionality of race and class, and redefines domestic labor as economic work. Jenkins discusses the challenges of defining 'woman' and critiques the political rhetoric surrounding women's protection. Emphasizing the importance of grassroots organizing, she reflects on hope amidst rising authoritarianism, advocating for solidarity and imagination in feminist discourse.
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INSIGHT

Purpose Defines Feminist Philosophy

  • Feminist philosophy is best understood as philosophy done in service of feminist aims to end women's oppression.
  • Whether work counts as feminist depends on political judgment about whether it advances emancipation.
INSIGHT

Language Choices Carry Political Weight

  • Language choices in feminism carry political stakes and change over time.
  • Jenkins advises readers to treat terminology as deliberate but historically contingent.
INSIGHT

‘What Is A Woman?’ Masks Politics

  • The fixation on 'what is a woman' often masks political aims, especially around trans exclusion.
  • Jenkins treats category debates as tied to constituency questions for feminist politics.
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