Simone de Beauvoir, Philosophy, and Feminism

Nancy Bauer is assistant professor of philosophy at Tufts University.

In her concise but closely argued book, Bauer demonstrates the philosophical importance of Beauvoir's work, not only as foundational for contemporary feminism but as a major contribution to philosophy... A real must-have for libraries serving serious women's studies programs. Choice A powerfully argued, lucid and fascinating book which, as well as offering a timely reassessment of Beauvoir's thought, raises important questions for feminism about the most effective way to undermine masculine privilege. -- Lois McNay Times Literary Supplement A brilliant study of Simone de Beauvoir's masterpiece. -- Hilary Putnam Bauer's subtle and original elucidation of Beauvoir's philosophical relationship to Descartes, Hegel, and Sartre is a truly important contribution to the field of feminism and philosophy-and to feminist theory in general. -- Toril Moi

• 1. Is Feminist Philosophy a Contradiction in Terms? First Philosophy, The Second Sex, and The Third Wave 2. I am a Woman, Therefrom I Think: The Second Sex and the Meditations Introduction: Recounting Women 5. Reading Beauvoir Reading Hegel: Pyrrhus et CinCas and the Ethics of Ambiguity 3. The Truth of Self-Certainty: A Rendering of Hegel's Master-Slave Dialectic 4. The Conditions of Hell: Sartre on Hegel 6. The Second Sex and the Master-Slave Dialectic 7. The Struggle for Self in The Second Sex