Analyzing Oppression (Studies In Feminist Philosophy)

Analyzing Oppression (Studies In Feminist Philosophy)

Analyzing Oppression presents a new, integrated theory of social oppression, which tackles the fundamental question that no theory of oppression has satisfactorily answered: if there is no natural hierarchy among humans, why are some cases of oppression so persistent? Cudd argues that the explanation lies in the coercive co-opting of the oppressed to join in their own oppression. This answer sets the stage for analysis throughout the book, as it explores the questions of how and why the oppressed join in their oppression. Cudd argues that oppression is an institutionally structured harm perpetrated on social groups by other groups using direct and indirect material, economic, and psychological force. Among the most important and insidious of the indirect forces is an economic force that operates through oppressed persons' own rational choices. This force constitutes the central feature of analysis, and the book argues that this force is especially insidious because it conceals the fact of oppression from the oppressed and from others who would be sympathetic to their plight. The oppressed come to believe that they suffer personal failings and this belief appears to absolve society from responsibility. While on Cudd's view oppression is grounded in material exploitation and physical deprivation, it cannot be long sustained without corresponding psychological forces. Cudd examines the direct and indirect psychological forces that generate and sustain oppression. She discusses strategies that groups have used to resist oppression and argues that all persons have a moral responsibility to resist in some way. In the concluding chapter Cudd proposes a concept of freedom that would be possible for humans in a world that is actively opposing oppression, arguing that freedom for each individual is only possible when we achieve freedom for all others.Review"This book will be of broad interest to feminist scholars in many fields, as well as to advanced students. It confirms Ann Cudd's place as a leading feminist, analytic philosopher of social science."--Paul Benson,Hypatia"Thorough and well argued. Highly recommended."--S.C. Schwarze,Choice"This excellent book presents a clear, coherent, and eminently defensible reformative account of the notion of oppression. The aim, in the best analytic tradition, is to present an account that captures our basic intuitions about the nature of oppression while correcting those judgments that are distorted, based on false empirical information, or that are otherwise ill-informed."--Ruth Sample,Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews"Cudd's analysis is richly analytical and deeply philosophical. It is a remarkable achievement and one that we will all take pleasure in."--Cynthia Willett,Radical Philosophy ReviewAbout the AuthorAnn E. Cudd grew up in Ohio and received her BA from Swarthmore College, her MA in Economics, and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. She now teaches philosophy and is Director of Women's Studies at the University of Kansas. She is past president of the Society for Analytical Feminism. Professor Cudd lives in Lawrence, Kansas with her husband and three sons.