Reproducing The World: Essays In Feminist Theory

by Mary O'Brien

Published after her death, this collection of essays provides a glimpse into the breadth of the work of feminist philosopher Mary O'Brien. The anthology is divided into three sections: "Feminist Theory" analyzes the significance of women's role as the source of life; "The Critique of Patriarchy" offers counterarguments to male philosophers and authors such as Machiavelli, Milton and Hegel; and "Women, Health, and Education" discusses the political concerns of medicine and schooling.

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Louise Hewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book interesting, humorous in places, and challenging in others. I came across references to Mary O'Brien reading a book by Somer Brodrib, which was quite a difficult read for me although that wasn't enough to put me off. Reading 'Reproducing the World' at the same time as I am reading 'The Maternal Roots of the Gift Economy' by Genevieve Vaughan has been excellent: layers of feminist thought, theory and practice mingling fruitfully - for me at least. What I enjoyed about 'Reproducing the World' is that O'Brien did not mistake women's childbearing potential and our experiences as THE cause of our historic subjugation, but rather that we have been subjugated because of men's anxiety about paternity and therefore men's attempts to control our bodies and what we do (therefore to also try to control our minds), and to pontificate about what it all means. There was no mistaking the baby for the bathwater, and I appreciated that.