Research Seminars, Colloquia and Reading Groups

Reading group: Kant meets “Sex, Love, & Gender”

We cordially invite you to a reading group centred on Helga Varden’s widely acclaimed book “Sex, Love, and Gender: A Kantian Theory” (2020). In it, Varden proposes an ambitious assessment of Kant’s moral, legal, and political philosophy, claiming it can provide a robust framework for intimate life as well as a progressive account of gender identity, bodily autonomy, and sexual rights. To do so, Varden insists, we must, of course, also “overcome Kant’s own mistakes” and “identify and overcome Kant’s own binary positions and, consequently, his cisism, sexism, and heterosexism”.

We’ll read selected chapters from Varden’s book alongside other relevant articles, starting with Mari Mikkola’s 2011 paper, “Kant on Moral Agency and Women’s Nature”. (If you have suggestions or requests, do share!) Just a quick note: we’re no experts on Kant’s practical philosophy – and you don’t need to be either. We’re simply hoping for some refreshing insights on this confrontation between Kant and “Sex, Love, and Gender” (without diving into the primary texts together).

Meetings will take place every other Tuesday at 5 pm, starting on 29 April. If you’re interested, please email map.philosophy@warwick.ac.uk or scan the QR code on the poster to join the WhatsApp group!