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Professor McBride publishes new philosophy anthology celebrating pragmatist feminism

Lee A. McBride III, professor of philosophy at ������˾�� recently published , an edited anthology that celebrates the philosophical work of McBride�s dissertation advisor, Charlene Haddock Seigfried.

�She coined the term �pragmatist feminism� and is seen as the preeminent figure in this philosophical position,� McBride said. Co-edited with prolific ecofeminist philosopher, Erin McKenna, the book draws together various scholars to assess the significance and value of Seigfried�s past, present, and future philosophical contributions.

�Pragmatist feminism takes women�s lived experiences as philosophically important,� McBride said. �It challenges hetero-patriarchal presuppositions and methods of engaging in philosophy. In this way, pragmatist feminism provides a viable/genial philosophical methodology, a perspective from which to engage recent women�s rights issues.�

This is the second anthology McBride has edited for Bloomsbury Publishing. The first, , is an April 2020 collection of integral pieces of world-renowned African American philosopher Leonard Harris�s work in an accessible format.

McBride followed his work on the Harris publication with a 2021 monograph, . �It aims to consider both critical pragmatic naturalism and Harris�s insurrectionist ethics, showing how this work is relevant to contemporary ethical and political discussions,� McBride explained.

He called the three books amplifications of his broad philosophical interests, noting how Ethics and Insurrection is a window into his philosophical perspective. �I have deep worries about ethics, upright behavior, and (fighting against) oppression,� McBride declared. �Seigfried�s pragmatist feminism helps to clarify the way I approach human limitation (fallibilism), perception, apperception, knowledge creation, and systematic problem solving. Harris�s work helps to explain the worries I have about intervening background assumptions that allow for unevenness, exploitation, hetero-patriarchy, and ethnic and racial hierarchies.�

Some of McBride�s students have incorporated insurrectionist philosophy and resistance to oppression as a central aspect of their senior Independent Study projects. Recent topics include combatting colonial oppression, certain exclusions to �liberty and justice for all,� and a philosophical unpacking of a female politician�s tweets, for example. He�s also had several students integrate work on feminist and queer studies themes, and some who work on pragmatic themes.

One of these students, Grace O�Leary �20, served as McBride�s research assistant during her senior year while he was finalizing Ethics and Insurrection. �Grace helped me edit the final draft,� McBride said. �I am grateful for her careful attention and thoughtful comments during this process.�

Posted in Faculty, News on August 1, 2022.