Feminism as Radical Humanism

Acknowledging the history of antagonism between humanism and feminism and remaining true to the ideals of contemporary feminism, Pauline Johnson argues in this book that feminism must be seen as a humanism. This controversial thesis is defended in a wide-ranging study that leaves neither humanism nor feminism the same. Contemporary feminism and the tradition of humanism have long been assumed to be natural enemies. Feminists point to the tyrannous history of attempts to submerge human diversity under the banner of a common humanity and especially the tendency to view women as humanitys other.Acknowledging this history and remaining sensitive to the insights and political commitments of current feminist thought, Pauline Johnson argues that feminism must come to recognize itself as a type of humanism. In a study that throws great light upon both feminist theory and the historical ideal of humanism and leaves neither the same, Johnson reclaims humanism in both Enlightenment and Romantic forms for feminist purposes.Treating both feminist and nonfeminist thinkers with absolute respect, Johnson interweaves figures as diverse as Kant, Habermas, and Foucault on the one hand, and Harding, Eisenstein, and Pateman on the other. Ambitious in its aims and controversial in its conclusions, Feminism as Radical Humanism is an important contribution to the continuing definition of contemporary feminism. It is essential reading for feminist theorists, historians of ideas, and all who wish to understand contemporary feminist thought.