Difference and rationality. Feminist discourse in the writings of Pamela Sue Anderson and Michele Le Dreuff

Abstract

This article is the first Polish discussion of the feminist discourse in the writings of Pamela Sue Anderson, philosopher of religion at Oxford University, and Michele Le Dreuff, philosopher at the Sorbonne. Both these scholars share an interest in rationality, which the psychoanalysis-inspired difference feminism associates with the male element. The purpose of this article is to contrast the approach of Anderson and Le Dreuff with the discourse of Kristeva and Irigaray, whose achievements have been inspiring feminism for years. The common ground for the comparison of the philosophers representing different "schools" is their cultural location. The two scholars are involved in the European thought by being deeply rooted in the French-language discourse. The proposals of Anderson and Le Dreuff may be an interesting alternative to the approach of Kristeva and Irigaray, who are already known in Poland through translations, which does not mean that critical reception of their work has been developed.