Theories of Oppression and Freedom: A Feminist Philosophy Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in feminist philosophy and theories of oppression, ideal for exam preparation.

Feminism

A political, social, and intellectual movement focused on understanding and ending women's oppression and achieving social, political, and economic equality.

Bad Faith

A concept by Simone de Beauvoir meaning lying to oneself or denying one's freedom and responsibility.

Structural Oppression

Systemic and built-in inequality that harms certain groups while benefiting others, emerging from social institutions and cultural norms.

Denial of Freedom

A form of bad faith where a person pretends they have no choice in their actions.

Exploitation

Using people's labor for someone else's benefit, often seen as one of the five faces of oppression.

Cultural Imperialism

When dominant cultures are seen as 'normal' and other cultures are viewed as 'less than' or backward.

Reformist Feminism

Seeks change within existing institutions through policy reforms and anti-discrimination laws.

Revolutionary Feminism

Aims to completely transform or abolish systems that sustain women's oppression.

Lifestyle Feminism

Critiqued for reducing feminism to personal choice and individual identity, rather than political struggle.

Double Marginalization

The compounded effect of racism and sexism faced by women of color, leading to their quicker dismissal or under-representation.

Five Faces of Oppression

Categories of oppression identified by Iris Marion Young: Exploitation, Marginalization, Powerlessness, Cultural Imperialism, Violence.

Patriarchal Violence

Violence produced, sustained, and normalized by patriarchal structures, encompassing more than just physical abuse.

Ontology

The philosophical study of the nature of being, existence, or reality.

Intersectionality

An analytical framework that considers how various forms of social stratification, such as race, gender, and class, overlap.

Ambiguity

The human condition of being both situated (facticity) and free (transcendence), as discussed by Simone de Beauvoir.

Ethics of Solidarity

A moral approach advocating for collective action while acknowledging partiality and limits in ethical behavior.

Stereotype Threat

The risk of confirming negative stereotypes about one's social group, which can adversely affect performance and participation.

Cultural Change in Departments

Shifting departmental culture to promote respect, discourage aggression, and establish norms for civil discourse.