Philosophy of Race Colloquium Series

Agnès Berthelot-Raffard

Université du Québec à Montréal

Date: Thursday, January 31

Time: 4:00 pm

Watson Hall, Room 517

The epistemic responsibility of liberal feminist philosophers: a matter of racial justice?

Abstract: The feminist philosophers highlighted how the Rawlsian theory of justice does not seem mindful of gender relations, and the sexual division of labour. However, at the same time, they dismissed the racial factor. Indeed, in order to strengthen their arguments, they used and reiterated one example: the single parent Black woman, poor and less educated. Nevertheless, this example seems to be used without knowledge on the Black hermeneutic, and understanding about the meaning of motherhood among those of African descent. Hence, by its denial of Africana philosophy, the liberal feminist philosophy has produced an epistemic injustice. Does the feminist philosophy participate in social practices applies to black women? Does this specific ignorance constitute an unambiguous practice of racial injustice? Using the notion of “epistemic modesty” (Kittay, 2012) and “white ignorance” (Mills, 2017), the presentation analyses the links between racial and epistemic injustices.

Meet the speaker!

Drop-in session hosted by Equity Committee

Thursday, January 31, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

A.R.C. Duncan Lounge, Watson Hall, Room 341

Refreshments will be served