Applying the idea of conversation broadly, Penny A. Weiss offers a collection of essays that are either constructed dialogues, letters, or discussions about voice and silencing. Conversation emerges as both a theory and a method of feminist political inquiry and practice. The most vocal participants in Weiss' conversations are historical political thinkers both within the Western canon (Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Rousseau) and beyond its confines (Astell, Coopers, Wollstonecraft, de Pizan). Other figures appear as well, from Anita Hill and U.S. Supreme Court justices to the author's own students and children. Conflicts between feminists and anti-feminists frame some essays, while others represent debates within feminism. This unique collection is unified by a commitment to dialogue as a part of feminist ethics, strategy, and pedagogy, and builds upon the belief that a conversational approach does not preclude disagreement or contrasting stories, but requires them. Conversations With Feminism is an important book for students and scholars of political theory, philosophy, and women's studies.

By Penny A. Weiss

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Conversation as Method
Chapter 3 "I'm Not a Feminist, But . . . ": Popular Myths about Feminism
Chapter 4 Toward Theories of Antifeminism: Judicial and Congressional Defenses of Sexual Differentiation
Chapter 5 Plato's Republic as Male Dialogue: A Case Study of Gender Exclusivity in Political Theory
Chapter 6 Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Mary Wollstonecraft: A(live) Conversation
Chapter 7 Asking Questions about Women: Comparing Feminist and Nonfeminist Political Theories
Chapter 8 Feminism and Communitarianism: Comparing Critiques of Liberalism
Chapter 9 Reversals as a Way of Seeing
Chapter 10 Remembering the Lady: A Letter to Abigail Adams
Chapter 11 Thomas versus Hill: Rethinking My Commentary in Light of Writings by African American Feminists
Chapter 12 (S)Mothering/Profess(or)ing: Taling to Myself
Chapter 13 Index