Virginia Held "Feminist Transformations of Moral Theory"

For Held, feminist moral theory is not a matter of "mere additional insights which can be incorporated into traditional theory..."

Three main areas of gender bias in traditional moral theory

1) the split between reason and emotion and the devaluation of emotion,
2) the public/private distinction and the relegation of the private to the natural, and
3 the concept of the self as constructed from a male point of view...

Aristotle and Plato

-the masculinity of reason and the femininity of emotion

-within Greek thought (and afterwards) moral relationships have been modeled on a masculine (or "public") model.
-the family (or private) sphere has been regarded as governed by mere instinct or affection. For this reason, it has been dismissed as a source of moral knowledge or a model for understanding moral relationships between persons.

-according to Held, this aspect of Greek though still influences moral philosophy (the influence revealed by sorts of things philosophers don't bother to talk about).

Hobbes

-consider Hobbes's view of human nature (isolated, autonomous individuals pursuing their own projects, viewing all other persons as potential threats and competitors)
-does this view of human nature seem plausible from the perspective of mothers or care givers?

Kant, Rousseau, Hegel

-in one way or another, each thinker downplays or deprecates the moral perspective of women and mothers.

The feminist approach to moral inquiry

-why not expect "star" feminist theorists?

Rival brands of feminism

-those who are wary of placing too much weight on traditional "feminine virtues" (this may only serve to reinforce the oppression of women)

-those who skeptical of general claims about women (owing to concerns about the differences of culture, race and sexual orientation).