On May 8, 2024, the first Library Lunchtime Lecture of the semester took place in the Library Art Gallery. Professor Sandrine Bergès from the Department of Philosophy delivered a thought-provoking talk titled, “The Dos and Don’ts of Writing about Women in the History of Political Philosophy.”
With this lecture, Prof. Bergès aimed to shed light on the efforts made in recent years to integrate women’s voices into the narrative of philosophical discourse.
Drawing upon her extensive research and scholarly expertise, Prof. Bergès compiled a comprehensive guide outlining the nuanced dos and don’ts when addressing the role of women in the history of political philosophy. Emphasizing the importance of accurate representation, Prof. Bergès cautioned against the tendency to ignore women philosophers, steal credit for their ideas, focus excessively on their emotions and homogenize them into a single category. Prof. Bergès also emphasized the need to avoid exclusively labeling women philosophers as feminists, acknowledging that their contributions often extended beyond advocacy for women’s rights.
Despite significant progress, the lecture concluded with a reminder that the dialogue surrounding women in philosophy remains ongoing. By continuing to debate and refine methodologies, historians and philosophers can ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Ultimately, the goal is to create a narrative that accurately reflects the diverse and significant contributions of women to the history of philosophy.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which attendees engaged in lively discussions with Professor Bergès, delving further into the intricacies of gender representation in political thought.
For those unable to attend the lecture in person, a recording is available through the Library’s YouTube channel: @BilkentLibrary
