Feminist Ethics: Perspectives, Problems and Possibilities Book

Feminist ethics is a critical reflection on morality which is informed by feminist theory and the experiences of women in a patriarchal society. It has developed a sharp critique of traditional ethical theories in a male-dominated and androcentric culture. However, feminist philosophers and theologians have also developed constructive ethical models that constitute serious alternatives to traditional moral discourse. In this way, feminist ethics has made important contributions to the development of ethical reflection, both within moral philosophy and within theological ethics. The first purpose of this book is to analyze and reflect critically upon these feminist contributions to ethics. A further purpose is to give a critical evaluation of the various contributions of feminist ethics to ethical theory, normative reflection, and applied ethics. This means that three questions are addressed. What are the main contributions of feminist theory to moral philosophy and theological ethics? What are the problems within feminist ethics of different kinds? What are the possibilities for feminist research in ethics for the future? The book includes descriptions of different sorts of feminist ethics in current theology and philosophy. Different ethical theories as well as different contributions to applied ethics within feminist ethics are analyzed. The book also engages with evaluation of these different kinds of feminist ethics. Are there problems connected with different approaches within feminist ethics? Are there reasons to maintain that feminist ethics has given substantial and reasonable contributions to ethical theory and normative reflections? Are there particular and fruitful feminist positions within different fields of applied ethics?