Uncategorized / women in philosophy

SAP does gender well

stoat7 Comments

… on the same topic as jj’s last post – but more positive news. In the past conferences notable for their absence of female speakers have been held up, and those which have laudably offered a more inclusive programme also heralded. The Society for Applied Philosophy’s recent annual conference, in Leeds, had the following speakers in its plenary sessions:

The Unity of the Virtues
Professor Julia Annas, University of Arizona

Some strengths of a consequentialist approach to human rights
Dr Elizabeth Ashford, University of St Andrews

Integrity and Fragmentation
Professor John Cottingham, University of Reading

Disease
Dr Rachel Cooper, Lancaster University

Virtue Ethics: What Is It, And Why Should Anyone Believe It?
Professor Roger Crisp, University of Oxford

What is a human right? A question for applied philosophy
Dr John Tasioulas, University of Oxford

Lies, Damned Lies and Politicians
Professor Susan Mendus, University of York

 The Political Expression of Forgiveness: Irish Reflections
Professor Nigel Biggar, University of Oxford

Really good to see high profile women philosophers well-represented!  Credit to the SAP.

7 thoughts on “SAP does gender well”

  1. It is wonderful to see high profile women philosophers well represented.

    It would also be wonderful to see a few less high profile women philosophers sometimes represented. The conference I mentioned (immediately below) has some less high profile invited speakers. There are people with great things to say who are not high profile. Some people just don’t do what’s needed to get there; that does not mean they are less good.

    To take an example: here are some reviews on a book whose author is not yet, I am pretty sure, what counts as high profile:

    XYZ is one of the most important books to appear in philosophy in a generation. NN’s reflections on life-form, on action and intention, and on social practices light up the field. Rarely does one encounter thinking of this depth, rigor and originality. If the philosophical understanding of human life matters to you, this book is absolutely required reading.
    –Jonathan Lear, University of Chicago

    NN provides an original account of the fundamental character of the concepts central to practical philosophy, which depends on a conception of philosophical method which is itself of great general interest, over and above its significance for practical philosophy. NN is a philosopher of the first importance.
    –Cora Diamond, University of Virginia

    An exceptional piece of philosophy that is a reservoir of deep insights concerning life, action, and practices. The theory of action developed here, in particular, stands among the most significant contributions to action theory in recent years. It is quite simply a “must read” for anyone working in the area. ..- Paul Hurley

    Of course, I could be wrong, but I checked on google for 5 pages (no conference presentations) and on phil papers – no discussion of related papers.

  2. Well why don’t you enlighten us as to who the person is so we can all start inviting her to conferences? It seems a little strange not to say.

  3. I wanted to see if anyone would recognize the person. There are huge hints in the descriptions.

    Do remember the point is that one can be doing really extremely good work without being famous. The person in question, by the way, is a he.

    There’s still time for someone to guess.

    I’m sorry, Calypso, not to see your usual logo.

  5. I’m Baaaaaaaaaack

    I agree btw we should have more not-so-well-known people invited to many conferences, not the same old same old. I am working on it myself right now as a member of a fairly major conference committee (but to say what, now THAT would be telling!).

  6. Ah, I found it.
    Life and Action
    Elementary Structures of Practice and Practical Thought
    Michael Thompson
    Since he’s a professor at Pitt, I am not feeling lots and lots of sympathy for him as a poor neglected under-appreciated fellow. He could be a lot worse off.
    (But your point is still a good one.)

  7. Calypso, I’m so glad you refound yourself kitty self, and congrats on your position in forming the conference.

    I think that MT is one of Philippa Foot’s UCLA students and, like a number of them, acts as though philosophical excellence hasn’t much to do with philosophical fame.

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