In the study program for philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić, since its inception, there has not been a single female philosopher in the curriculum. Since this school year, the subject Philosophy of Politics has been introduced, within which it is possible to study the work of Hannah Arendt, but this subject has the status of optional, not compulsory.
In this way, the message is sent that this author is not of too much importance and authority to stand side by side with her male colleagues, said Kristina Bojanović, an associate at the Department of Philosophy, in an interview for "Vijesti".
She deals with contemporary French philosophy and feminist theory, translates books and texts in the field of philosophy from French and English, and teaches feminist epistemology at Women's Studies. She is one of the few who at the University of Montenegro (UCG) advocates for women's opinions to be heard a little louder.
"Women philosophers lived and created several thousand years before something we call feminism was born"
"Science has always been understood as a, let's say, male-centric field, so in various plans and programs, women's names, their work and actions are completely, or almost completely, ignored. There can be no justification for this in any case the obsolescence of plans for certain subjects because women in science have not appeared in recent decades. They have been present in philosophy since before the new era. It is a question of continuous, completely illogical and unfair ignoring and neglect, which is very harmful to science and the entire public space and discourse." , said Bojanović.
Since there has been philosophy, there have been women in it since then
According to her, there is a prejudice that women-philosophers deal exclusively with feminist theory, for which, supposedly, there are other types of studies, so they should be studied "there", but Bojanović believes that this is not true.
Bojanović believes that among others, Eloise, Christine de Pizan, Marie le Jarre de Gournet, Olympe de Gouges, Mary Wollstonecraft, Emma Goldman, Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Susan Sontag should have their place in the Study Program for Philosophy.
Bojanović said that there are many female professors and scientists at UCG, who with their brilliant work make the Montenegrin and wider academic scene better and better, but it is still standing, and the question is how long it will stand, the not at all pleasant fact that they are from the history of science and opinions in general, women are almost erased and that male and female students do not have the opportunity to hear and read about their importance and contributions.
Hannah Arendt
"Faculty, i.e. university scientific-teaching councils would have to devote themselves more seriously to overcoming this deficiency, for the benefit of all who want complete knowledge," Bojanović assessed.
Since there has been philosophy, as she said, since then there have been women in it, so that in the entire history of philosophy and in all its disciplines, there are women who have contributed to the growth and development of wisdom, that is, love for it.
In addition to those already mentioned, she believes that Eloise, Christine de Pizan, Marie le Jarre de Gournay, Olympe de Gouges, Mary Wollstonecraft, Harriet Taylor Mill, Emma Goldman, Rosa Luxemburg, Simon Weil should also have their place on the Study Program for Philosophy. , Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Susan Sontag, Donna Haraway, Judith Butler, Ellen Cixou, Lis Irigaray, Julia Kristeva and Chantal Mouffe.
One-sided education does not change the world for the better
When women are excluded from the most important, key aspects of the theory, then, according to Bojanović, no improvement can be expected in practice either.
"It makes no sense to believe that the young generations, who receive a one-sided or single-gender education, will be able to change the world for the better. Theory and practical action are equally important for achieving equality," she said.
"It is necessary for the UCG to speak out about the need for women's voices to be heard in science"
"The Center for Women's and Peace Education "Anima" has been organizing the Women's Studies program for ten years and provides its students with knowledge of feminist theory and practice. It is necessary for the UCG to speak out about the need for women's voices to be heard in science and to, to quote philosopher Ann Coud, "include the excluded", so that we can enrich science itself through gender diversity", said Bojanović and added that this is a call to all scientists "because without integral and interdisciplinary cooperation, certain scientific fields will continue to remain impenetrable patriarchal fortifications".
The importance of philosophy created by women
Bojanović said that she did not know if any of her colleagues were in favor of introducing women philosophers and, in general, women scientists into the curriculum, but she pointed out that as far as possible from her academic position, she always points out the importance of this to her male and female students. comprehensive education "whose goal is to make us aware".
"Also, on the importance of the philosophy created by women, on their paths and horizons, on the necessity of radical critical thinking that would help both women and men to act, to change the world and reality, to fight for the reorganization of the work system, to change the hedonistic - a consumerist attitude towards life, to fight against sexism, nationalism, racism, violence and all forms of discrimination," said Bojanović.
She added that she is really happy when she sees that some of them are interested in women in philosophy and that "together with me, they try to make sure that they speak, despite their absence from the lists of mandatory and optional literature".
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