Violence Against Women

Stanley G. French is Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University in Montreal. Wanda Teays is Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles. Laura M. Purdy is Professor of Philosophy and Ruth and Alberg Koch Professor of Humanities at Wells College. She is the author of In Their Best Interest? and Reproducing Persons, both from Cornell, the coauthor of Bioethics, Justice, and Health Care, and coeditor of Feminist Perspectives in Medical Ethics and Embodying Bioethics: Feminist Advances.

This collection of thirteen essays shows why and how violence against women should be examined philosophically.... I found every one of these essays enlightening, and plan to use the book in my 'Feminism and Philosophy' course because I believe it will, as effectively as any book I know, counter two common beliefs: that there is no need for feminism because women have already achieved equality; and that insofar as feminism is important, philosophy is unimportant.(Ethics) This anthology has many virtues. It offers a cross-cultural view of violence against women in many of its familiar forms. Although clearly within the discipline of philosophy, the articles are written in a clear manner that is accessible to a diverse audience, including those working in grassroots movements and in activist communities who otherwise may look skeptically upon academic writing on violence against women. The authors provide lucid and concise explanations of theoretical underpinnings, and most articles include case studies which are illuminating and grounding while avoiding the sensationalism that examples of violence against women can sometimes evoke.- Nancy Nyquist Potter (Letters in Canada) This diverse and wide-ranging collection of essays begins with a discussion of the complexity of surviving rape and ends with a discussion of the complexities of preventing and resisting rape.... The strength of this collection of essays lies in the clarity of argument and explanation. There is a clear and uncompromising commitment to making theory 'work' for women in the complex and diverse worlds in which they live.- Renee Heberle (Hypatia) Violence Against Women is a much-needed addition to feminist and philosophical discussions of the myriad forms of violence that women experience around the world.... The thirteen essays offer new and culturally diverse perspectives.... a useful addition to readings in more advanced courses in feminist theory, ethics, and political philosophy.- Kim Hall, Ass't. Professor of Philosophy at Appalachian State University (NWSA Journal)