Contradiction of Terms: Feminist Theory, Philosophy and Transdisciplinarity. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sandford, Stella
• Editors: Osborne, Peter; Sandford, Stella; Alliez, Éric
• Is Part Of: Theory, culture & society. Volume 32:Number 5/6(2015)
• Page Start: 159
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: critical theory -- feminism -- gender -- philosophy -- transdisciplinarity; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 301.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0263276415594238
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2764

Abstract

This article addresses the question of the relation between disciplines and transdisciplinary practices and concepts through a discussion of the relationship between philosophy and the emblematically transdisciplinary practice of feminist theory, via a discussion of interdisciplinarity and related terms in gender studies. It argues that the tendency of philosophy to reject feminist theory, as alien to it as a discipline, is in a sense correct, to the extent that the two defining features of feminist theory – its constitutive tie to a political agenda for social change and the transdisciplinary character of many of its central concepts – are indeed at odds with, and pose a threat to, the traditional insularity of the discipline of philosophy. If feminist philosophy incorporates feminist theory, its transdisciplinary aspects thus open it up to an unavoidable contradiction. Nonetheless, I will argue, this is a contradiction that can and must be endured and made productive.