Irigaray and Politics: A Critical Introduction

Irigaray and Politics brings together Irigaray's early psychoanalytically orientated writings with her more recent and more explicitly political writings, critiquing constructions of western modernity and rationality and making profound interventions into contemporary political movements and decolonial thought.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2019
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Irigaray and Politics: Bringing Together Luce Irigaray's Early Psychoanalytically Orientated Writings with Her More Recent and Explicitly Political Writings

Luce Irigaray's philosophy of sexuate difference is a rich and complex exploration of the ontological, political, and ethical dimensions of gender and sexuality. Her early psychoanalytically orientated writings, such as "This Sex Which Is Not One" and "Speculum of the Other Woman," delve into the psychological and social constructions of gender and sexuality, while her more recent and explicitly political writings, such as "Irigaray and Politics" and "The Sex Which Is Not One," address the political implications of these constructions.

Laura Roberts argues that Irigaray's philosophical-political project must be read as a critique of constructions of western modernity and rationality. When appreciated in this way, it becomes clear how Irigaray's thought makes profound interventions into contemporary political movements and decolonial thought themes that have never been covered before in Irigaray scholarship. This enables readers to recognise that the question of sexual difference in Irigaray's philosophy is concerned not only with refiguring politics and political action, but with the foundational structures that govern existence itself.

One of the key themes in Irigaray's philosophy is the notion of sexuate difference. Irigaray argues that sexuate difference is a fundamental aspect of human existence that is not reducible to biological or social factors. Instead, sexuate difference is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is shaped by a range of social, cultural, and historical factors. Irigaray's work challenges the traditional binary of male and female and proposes a more inclusive and diverse understanding of gender and sexuality.

Irigaray's philosophy of sexuate difference has had a significant impact on contemporary political movements and decolonial thought. For example, her work has been used to challenge the patriarchal structures that govern society and to promote gender equality and social justice. Irigaray's ideas have also been used to critique the Western notion of rationality and to promote a more holistic and ethical approach to knowledge and decision-making.

However, Irigaray's philosophy has also faced criticism and controversy. Some critics argue that Irigaray's work is too abstract and theoretical and that it does not have a practical impact on the world. Others argue that Irigaray's work is too focused on the female body and that it ignores the experiences of other marginalized groups, such as people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Despite these criticisms, Irigaray's philosophy continues to be a vital and important contribution to the field of philosophy. Her work has helped to shape our understanding of gender and sexuality and has provided a framework for addressing the complex and multifaceted challenges that we face in the world today.

In conclusion, Irigaray and Politics: Bringing Together Luce Irigaray's Early Psychoanalytically Orientated Writings with Her More Recent and Explicitly Political Writings is a fascinating and important book that explores the ontological, political, and ethical dimensions of Irigaray's philosophy of sexuate difference. Laura Roberts's argument that Irigaray's philosophical-political project must be read as a critique of constructions of western modernity and rationality is compelling and provides a valuable framework for understanding Irigaray's work. Irigaray's philosophy has had a significant impact on contemporary political movements and decolonial thought and continues to be a vital and important contribution to the field of philosophy.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474422826