It requires a subscription. Once again, I fear that space constraints left a good deal out. I spoke to Ms. Wilson, the reporter, for a half hour. I emphasized that I thought the two key remedial measures needed to deal with the dearth of women in academic philosophy were (1) a sea-change in the norms governing sexual harassment, including aggressive pursuit of offenders (something the APA is working on, as the article notes), and (2) affirmative action. I also commented on the fact that, unfortunately, some use the banner of gender equality to pursue a substantive philosophical agenda, something we saw all too clearly with the "Climate for Women" fiasco in the fake "Pluralist" Guide (i.e., the SPEP/SAAP Guide). Only a version of the latter point made it in. The CHE article also gives the odd impression that there aren't large numbers of women working in metaphysics, philosophical logic, philosophy of language etc.
UPDATE: This is an interesting commentary on the CHE piece from a female graduate student who has decided to leave the field. There's also some reactions and discussion at the Feminist Philosophers blog.






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