Looking Back and the Way Ahead

Abstract

I began this book by looking at what Annette Baier said on what women wanted from moral philosophy. As I conclude, I would like to look again at what she says:

Generalizations are extremely rash, but when I think of Philippa Foot’s work on the moral virtues, Elizabeth Anscombe’s work on intention and on modern moral philosophy, Iris Murdoch’s philosophical writings, Ruth Barcan Marcus’s work on moral dilemmas, the work of radical feminist moral philosophers who are not content with orthodox Marxist lines of thought, Jenny Teichman’s book on illegitimacy, Susan Wolf’s articles, Claudia Card’s essays on mercy, Sabina Lovibond’s writings, Gabriele Taylor’s work on pride, love, and on integrity, Cora Diamond and Mary Midgeley’s work on our attitude towards animals, Sissela Bok’s work on lying and on secrecy, Virginia Held’s work, the work of Alison Jaggar, Marilyn Frye, and many others, I seem to hear a different voice from the standard moral philosophers.’ voice. I hear the voice Gilligan heard, made reflective and philosophical. What women want in moral philosophy is what they are providing.¹