Thank you for this personal yet insightful piece, Kate. I put off reading it for months, perhaps because of my experience in seeking to begin the study of philosophy. I was an 18-year-old severely depressed survivor of a dangerous, dysfunctional family with no knowledge, understanding or experience of philosophy when, in my first college semester, I signed up for the first class in philosophy. After a few weeks the professor gave a writing assignment, that was something on the order of "Why do I believe what I believe?" I had never encountered such a question and tried to guess an answer, finally coming up with, "I believe what I can see." A few days later I got the paper back with red ink at the top saying, "Don't be naive!" I suppose I was naive, but it was 1966, we were dealing with The Vietnam War, and I'd had more than enough condescension from my parents. I responded to his caustic statement by dropping the class. I never signed up for another philosophy course. Decades later I recognized what an error that had been, and I am still self-conscious - indeed, ashamed - about the impulsive and judgmental decision I made.
Oof, I am so sorry you were taught and treated so poorly. A warning to every educator to approach our task with humility and respect. I hope you never feel shame again for an understandable reaction to a bad teacher, and thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Hey Kate Mann! Love that you have a space where we (your readers) can talk back! Sometimes I do wonder if my efforts to make statements on the Internet are totally sent to the ether. In any case, speaking of your philosophy, found a statement you made (LA Times?) that says philosophers “defining what a woman is” is an obsession? dang, Simone de Beauvoir started a feminist revolution asking what it is to be a woman. She was first in her class in her university studies. Beat Sartre (who came in second). Granted Beauvoir had some wacky stereotypes re: lesbians. But the method is great: what is it to be a woman? You tell me, I’ll listen.
Thank you for such an interesting read. I too love philosophy but didn’t go to college early on. My introduction was Russell’s History of Western Philosophy and the book reviews in the New Republic. Somewhere along the line I managed to get a master’s in political theory from a decent small state university. However, the more I learn about philosophy, the more I realize how much I don’t know. As inadequate as I feel, everything in philosophy I am drawn to, and simple life experience, leads me to agree with you that morality is grounded in care for vulnerable bodies, as an end in itself. You mentioned Phillipa Foot; I find her extremely complicated, but her premise, in Natural Goodness, that all forms of life need certain conditions to flourish, and meeting those conditions is morally good (I hope I have that right) was a revelation to me coming from someone with such a strong philosophical background. So, I am intrigued that you also seem to wind up with a similar understanding, given your strong background. I look forward to reading more from you along these lines.
Another clear and beautiful piece of writing by Dr. Kate Manne. I'm really looking forward to reading Unshrinking during my summer "break"! Reading group anyone?
Hi everyone, let's thank Kate Manne again for her wonderful post. It would also be great if comments could be about the content of her lovely piece. I'm sure there are plenty of other venues to debate some of the issues that have come up in the comments. Thank you!
Thank you for this personal yet insightful piece, Kate. I put off reading it for months, perhaps because of my experience in seeking to begin the study of philosophy. I was an 18-year-old severely depressed survivor of a dangerous, dysfunctional family with no knowledge, understanding or experience of philosophy when, in my first college semester, I signed up for the first class in philosophy. After a few weeks the professor gave a writing assignment, that was something on the order of "Why do I believe what I believe?" I had never encountered such a question and tried to guess an answer, finally coming up with, "I believe what I can see." A few days later I got the paper back with red ink at the top saying, "Don't be naive!" I suppose I was naive, but it was 1966, we were dealing with The Vietnam War, and I'd had more than enough condescension from my parents. I responded to his caustic statement by dropping the class. I never signed up for another philosophy course. Decades later I recognized what an error that had been, and I am still self-conscious - indeed, ashamed - about the impulsive and judgmental decision I made.
Oof, I am so sorry you were taught and treated so poorly. A warning to every educator to approach our task with humility and respect. I hope you never feel shame again for an understandable reaction to a bad teacher, and thanks so much for sharing your experience.
philosophical
Hey Kate Mann! Love that you have a space where we (your readers) can talk back! Sometimes I do wonder if my efforts to make statements on the Internet are totally sent to the ether. In any case, speaking of your philosophy, found a statement you made (LA Times?) that says philosophers “defining what a woman is” is an obsession? dang, Simone de Beauvoir started a feminist revolution asking what it is to be a woman. She was first in her class in her university studies. Beat Sartre (who came in second). Granted Beauvoir had some wacky stereotypes re: lesbians. But the method is great: what is it to be a woman? You tell me, I’ll listen.
Thank you for such an interesting read. I too love philosophy but didn’t go to college early on. My introduction was Russell’s History of Western Philosophy and the book reviews in the New Republic. Somewhere along the line I managed to get a master’s in political theory from a decent small state university. However, the more I learn about philosophy, the more I realize how much I don’t know. As inadequate as I feel, everything in philosophy I am drawn to, and simple life experience, leads me to agree with you that morality is grounded in care for vulnerable bodies, as an end in itself. You mentioned Phillipa Foot; I find her extremely complicated, but her premise, in Natural Goodness, that all forms of life need certain conditions to flourish, and meeting those conditions is morally good (I hope I have that right) was a revelation to me coming from someone with such a strong philosophical background. So, I am intrigued that you also seem to wind up with a similar understanding, given your strong background. I look forward to reading more from you along these lines.
Excellent article! I especially liked the point about the relationship between bodily imperatives and morality.
Me too! Bodily imperatives are something I think we all feel on some level, and this article offers us an excellent exploration in words.
Very thoughtful article. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Very much enjoyed this piece. Thoughtful and thought provoking!
Another clear and beautiful piece of writing by Dr. Kate Manne. I'm really looking forward to reading Unshrinking during my summer "break"! Reading group anyone?
🙏❤️
Hi everyone, let's thank Kate Manne again for her wonderful post. It would also be great if comments could be about the content of her lovely piece. I'm sure there are plenty of other venues to debate some of the issues that have come up in the comments. Thank you!
Awesome post! Thank you for contributing and sharing with your readers!
🙏❤️