Fair Numbers: What Data Can and Cannot Tell Us About the Underrepresentation of Women in Philosophy

Abstract

The low representation (< 30%) of women in philosophy in english-speaking countries has generated much discussion, both in academic circles and the public sphere. It is sometimes suggested (Haslanger 2009) that unconscious biases, acting at every level in the field, may be grounded in gendered schemas of philosophers and in the discipline more widely, and that actions to make philosophy a more welcoming place for women should address such schemas. However, existing data are too limited to fully warrant such an explanation, which therefore will not satisfy those in favor of the status quo or those who argue against the need to address gender imbalance. In this paper, we propose measures to improve the profession that ought to be implemented without referring explicitly to this underrepresentation or to the climate for women and other underrepresented groups. such recommendations are based on empirical research already carried out in other disciplines and do not rest on whether it is possible to identify the cause of this low representation. We argue that we need not wait for new or better data to ensure that fairer practices are enacted for women, other underrepresented groups, and everybody else, if only out of precaution.

The State of the Discipline: New Data on Women Faculty in Philosophy

“…8. For a discussion of what data can teach us about the representation of women in philosophy, see Benétreau-Dupin & Beaulac (2015).…”

Using Focus Groups to Explore the Underrepresentation of Female-Identified Undergraduate Students in Philosophy

“…A number of studies have discouraged the use of fixed-mindset messages (even as praise) in an effort to ensure that female-identified students do not develop a brilliance-based conception of philosophy (Benétreau-Dupin and Beaulac 2015;Haslanger 2008;Leslie et al 2015;Thompson et al 2016). However, our data suggests other possibilities.…”

Why Do Women Philosophy Students Drop Out of Philosophy? Some Evidence from the Classroom at the Bachelor’s Level

“…There is no doubt anymore that there is a steady and significant underrepresentation of women in philosophy. This underrepresentation manifests itself in a variety of ways, such as in the numbers of published articles in highly ranked journals and of philosophy faculty positions held by women, in the list of invited speakers at academic events, in the number of women contributors to edited volumes, and in the citations of publications by women authors (e.g., Beebee & Saul 2011;Benetreau-Dupin & Beaulac 2015;Haslanger 2008;Healy 2015;Paxton, Figdor, & Tiberius 2012). 1 While the underrepresentation of women is not unique to philosophy (Beebee & Saul 2011), it is particularly pronounced in philosophy.…”