Feminist Philosophy of Religion: Critical Readings

Description

Feminist philosophy of religion as a subject of study has developed because of the identification and exposure of explicit sexism in much of the traditional philosophical thinking about religion. This struggle with a discipline shaped almost exclusively by men has led feminist philosophers to redress the problematic biases of gender, race, class and sexual orientation of the subject. "Feminist Philosophy of Religion: Critical Readings" brings together key writings on the core topics and approaches to this growing field. Each essay exhibits a distinctive theoretical approach and the readings appropriate insights from the fields of literature, theology, philosophy, gender and cultural studies. Beginning with a general introduction, the first part of the reader explores important approaches to the feminist philosophy of religion, including psychoanalytic, poststructualist, post-metaphysical and epistemological frameworks. In the second part, the authors survey significant topics including questions of divinity, embodiment, autonomy and spirituality, and religious practice. The volume is supported by explanatory prefaces and an extensive bibliography which is organized thematically.

Pamela Sue Anderson is Dean of Regent's Park College in Oxford, where she lectures in philosophy. She is the author of Feminist Philosophy of Religion: The Rationality and Myths of Religious Belief (1997). Beverley Clack is Senior Lecturer in Religious STudies and Philosophy at Oxford Brookes University. Her books include Sex and Death (2002), Misogyny in the Western Philosophical Tradition (1999) and The Philosophy of Religion (1998).

'Pamela Sue Anderson and Beverley Clack have worked a miracle in getting so many of the most notable writers in feminist philosophy of religion around the literary equivalent of the dinner table. The collection gives a wonderful insight into the creative thinking which is going on into the important questions being raised, into the common themes and important disagreements being shared between and among these women.' - Susan Durber, S Columba's URC, Oxford 'Contrary to most books on philosophy of religion, this volume takes into account the recurring practices of most everyday women and considers them in relationship with efforts to lead a spiritual life. Here Janet Soskice's article is illuminating (and witty), as is Amy Hollywood's discussion of the constitutive power of bodily practice.' - Yearbook of the European Society of Women in Theological Research 'The most important publication in the field of feminist philosophy and theology this year ... an extremely timely and welcome book that will fill a significant gap for the many lecturers and students working in the area.' - Critical and Cultural Theory