Philippine E-Journals

An Epistemological Breakthrough in Irigaray’s Feminist Philosophy: The [Im]possibility of a Feminist Epistemology

Frances Mae C. Dela Cruz

Discipline: Philosophy

 

Abstract:

Woman, a being forgotten by history, finds ways to situate herself in a reality that never allows her to exist. The feminists’ fight to end men’s determination of women’s fate becomes a frequent theme of conversations in our time. But rarely do the feminists seek for answers in the way women shape epistemic claims. Rather they busy themselves in fighting for women’s political recognition, discounting the fact that the first step to win that fight is to understand women. The institution of woman’s identity in human discourses is a significant element in successfully taking part in the affairs of humanity. Thus, constructing one’s identity also means taking hold of one’s rights, and it is for this very reason that the study of women’s knowledge production becomes an urgent endeavor.