Feminism As Radical Humanism

by Pauline Johnson

For Johnson, feminism must recognize itself as a humanism in order to avoid certain theoretical quagmires. [The argument] is extremely provocative, and even, I would say, necessary. This book is sure to be controversial and of interest to a wide audience in feminist theory. I know of no other treatment of feminism and humanism that is so clear, cogent, and systematic. Judith Grant University of Southern California Feminism is currently at an impasse. Both the liberation feminism of the 1970’s and the more recent feminism of difference are increasingly faced with the limitations of their own perspectives. While feminists today generally acknowledge the need to recognise diversity, they lack a coherent framework through which this need can be articulated. In Feminism as Radical Humanism, Pauline Johnson calls for a reassessment of feminism’s relationship to modern humanism. She argues that despite its very thorough and necessary critique of mainstream formulations of humanist ideals, feminism itself remains strongly committed to humanist values. Drawing on a broad range of political and intellectual traditions, Johnson demonstrates that, only by proudly affirming its own humanist commitments can feminist theory find a way to negotiate the impasse in which it currently finds itself. Feminism as Radical Humanism is an important and controversial contribution to feminist theory, and to the ongoing debate about the meaning of contemporary humanism.

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

For the Canadian poet, see E. Pauline Johnson

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would not be the best book to read as an introduction to Feminism and feminist theory. It is loaded with terminology and phrases that assume a basic understanding of a broad range of social and political scientists such as Marx and Foucault. Johnson is interested in showing that Humanism fits into her formulation of Feminist values and that Feminism fits into a general formulation of Humanist values.

I found her discussion of Marxist critiques especially enlightening in view of another book I have just finished reading, Women and Socialism by Sharon Smith, which I will be reviewing here shortly.

My journey into the hard theoretics of Marx, class, feminism and economics is still relatively nascent, so perhaps a return to this book in a few months will be in order, after I've exposed myself to other works and have gained a broader understanding of the subject.