Does feminism sell a morality devoid of morals?

Question

When a social philosophy depends upon dehumanizing humanity, I can't help but wonder if feminism's moral philosophy is morally bankrupt.

Curt: See the responses to my other questions below.

Tracey: There is no problem with that statement, but it is truly ironic. Feminists have their own "morality" (including such virtues as "equality" and "social justice", which have been named as answers here to explain the feminist moral code). However, in practice those "morals" seemingly result in immoral behavior. In other words, the feminist notion of morality is faulty and leads to evil instead of good.

kessie: I understand the goals and foundation of feminism. I also understand the goals and foundation of Naziism. Both movements ignored fundamental morals and instead displaced them with their own set of morals ("equality" and "social justice" for feminists; "racial purity" for Nazis). Both movements had adherents that were unwaveringly certain that their morality was fundamentally sound. Both movements resulted in tens of millions of killings.

Tracey: I understand that, as a feminist, you're naturally a moral relativist. I also understand that you have no problem with the slaughter of the innocents. The latter is something that has been so consistently immoral throughout history, that even if you fail to recognize some form of basic absolute morality, I'm sure that you would agree (though intellectual dishonesty might prevent you from doing so) that perhaps your moral code just might be flawed in some way.

Roswalien: A feminist doesn't have to be an extremist in her (and sometimes his) actions to subscribe to an immoral ethic. Feminism has displaced the classical Christian sense or morality with newer concepts based in Marxism such as "equality" (which you mentioned several times). While Christianity strives for obedience to God's laws, feminism strives for (and I'm sure you'll agree) "equality", believing that it is a fundamental virtue. However, when one heads down that path, it becomes evident that certain acts must be performed or permitted in order to fulfill that moral ideal. So while trying to attain its perception of moral perfection, feminism actually commits various evils along the way. All in the name of an erronous moral code.

kessie: Yes, obviously "racial purity" and the feminist concept of "equality" are diametrically opposed. But what they have in common is their alternative view offering morality. When a "movement" sells a new ethic and that ethic has nothing to do with fundamentally true morality (and even ethicists recognize a fundamental morality), fundamentally true morality is inevitably sacrificed to attain the new false morality. Whether it be racial purity or equality, the portrayal of such novel concepts are a moral foundation has led to plenty of heinousness.

Answer 1

Raj:
Morally bankrupt doesn't seem to cut it. Perhaps morally overdrawn is more analogous. They are not pursuing equality, but faux superiority at the expense of family values. Don't despair though, they are not taken seriously my most of enlightened society.

Answer 2

I am sorry to say that in such a way but the thought of feminism dehumanizing humanity is absurd. Feminism is about making it even more human, the way it was supposed to be before people decided for various reasons that men are superior. I do not believee that statement because I think that both men and women have only physical differences which sometime stop them from doing things that men can but that fact doesn't allow men to make them feel inferior like they used to or sometimes still make them feel inferior. I believe that society is the only factor which affects women's position, that if people had accepted from the start that the differences are physical and only refer to abilities like strength and not intelligence or that sort of characteristics, the society wouldn't have developed in that way and even though it is hard to accept it even today many people believ that men are superior. It is not a moral bankrupt, feminism is about making society more justice and believes in the establishment of total equality between the two genders.

Answer 3

Not all feminists are extreemists. Some are rational. For example, I understand that there will probably never be equality between men and women in regards to size and strength of the body. On the other hand, I believe (and there is not modern data to suggest otherwise) that men and women are equal when it comes to mental capacity and critical thinking. Also, if you aren't already informed some feminists are male.

While there are women who want a complete role reversal, most femists don't want a matriarchal society any more than they want a patriarchal society. They want equality in the workplace, in the family, and in life. THey want to be able to make their own decisons and to help make decisions with their spouse when a decision affects their life.

Feminism is not dehunamizing humanity, anymore than freeing slaves was (not to say that traditional women are slaves). It is freeing women to be human, rather than cater to the household and everyone in it. It seems as if you just don't understand the meaning of the word "femisinism".

To help you defend your point I suggest you do a little research about what feminism actually means. I also think "morally corrupt", rather than "morally bankrupt", would better suit you needs.

Sidenote: There was a Yahoo feature a few months ago stating that male feminists and female feminists live fuller, happier lives together than their traditional counterparts. I wish I could find the article, but maybe someone else can find it (Hint, hint).

Answer 4

you've got it twisted - big time. read your history books. you'll quickly discover feminism is the RESULT and REACTION to what was a dehumanizing humanity. Also brush up on social change - in particular - how it happens.

btw, it's patronizing know-nothings that shove their beliefs down the throats of others.


EDIT: "Both movements ignored fundamental morals and instead displaced them with their own set of morals ("equality" and "social justice" for feminists; "racial purity" for Nazis)." >>EVERY movement by its very nature is about change <<

"Racial purity" is diametrically opposed to "equality" - even when used in the same sentence. When you say "Both movements resulted in tens of millions of killings - are the two movements you're referring to Naziism and feminism because if so, you just lost all credibility.

And btw, Christianity, Muslims, Islamics, Jews, etc., - are unwaveringly certain that their morality was - and still is - fundamentally sound. Same with the Better Business Bureau.

EDIT: When a "movement" sells a new ethic and that ethic has nothing to do with fundamentally true morality (and even ethicists recognize a fundamental morality), fundamentally true morality is inevitably sacrificed to attain the new false morality. Whether it be racial purity or equality, the portrayal of such novel concepts are a moral foundation has led to plenty of heinousness.

Boy I wish I didn't have to leave for work --

"Heinousness" in the case of feminism is a direct response - the catalyst if you will - to the heinous life women were leading in this country - an extremely patriarchical, victorian, plastic, and toxic society.

There's no such thing as a "fundamentally true morality" - morality varies from culture to culture and has changed from century to century; people used to believe that sacrificing animals and people would appease their gods and bring them good crops; virgins were burned at the stake for cripe's sake. What fundamental morality? Where'd it come from? When did it begin? Who signed it into being and who's claiming it? Beliefs are OPTIONAL.

(It sounds to me as though you believe god created the universe and everything in it - then threw in the bible as THE instruction book - which by the way, is interpreted and continues to be interpreted - in many different ways by many different people all claiming to have god's ear. If you don't believe me, watch TV.)

Answer 5

So what are you saying here? What type of morality are you talking about? You say feminism is morally bankrupt because you believe it dehumanizes humanity but what I consider to be far more morally bankrupt is forcing people into rigid roles based on their gender, regardless of their interests and talents. What's morally bankrupt is denying an entire population an education and career opportunities because they weren't born the "right" sex. Those who support that are the ones who generally benefit from that arrangement the most. The ones who don't suffer from it. Why do you support that?

If you want religion to rule our lives, then why don't you move to the Middle East? Otherwise, just try to accept that this is a secular society where people practice hundreds of other religions besides yours. The sooner we are totally free from the ideas of having to be banished from the main house when we are having our periods or a man being able to rape a virgin and pay off her father, the better. Those are also in The Bible. I see a lot of moral relativism there, too. People pick and choose which parts they follow and ignore or try to rationalize their way out of the parts they don't like.

Answer 6

Morality is entirely subjective; no individual or group of people holds a monopoly on morality.

The Spanish Inquisition was fuelled by a sense of superior morality. People are stoned to death in the middle east to this day because of 'morality'.

Gimme a break.

Answer 7

Wanting to be treated equally makes me morally bankrupt?

I don't equate being treated with equal respect the same as murdering millions of other people because of their religion. I don't think wanting equal rights to get jobs or to vote, the same as enslaving people because of the color of their skin.

For many years woman were thought of as second class citizens - possessions and bargaining chips in a world run by men. How was that not dehumanizing? Certainly not on par with the holocaust or slavery, but not overflowing with an abundance of morality, either.

Answer 8

Feminists do not make invoke an immoral moral philosophy...that statement in and of itself is devoid of any understanding of a feminist manifesto of equality...
we should not be thought of as equal because we are brave or fit or moral any more than one man is measured... one against the other for equality..but should be thought of as equal because we are human beings.

Answer 9

No, faith and morals have actual no longer something to do with one yet another, some christians, case in point, have the morals of an alley cat, some are good people, likewise with atheists, some are good people and a few are actually not. i might think of that oftentimes Atheists probably have greater morals than christians because of the fact they could make their very own judgements on morality without impacts from a church. different religions are the comparable, the non believers are likely to have greater morals than the believers.

Answer 10

The only "immoral" thing you've mentioned is abortion, and who says all feminists are absolute supporters of abortion? Some of us support it only for certain reasons, we don't whole sale support the idea and all the uses of abortion.

And please, what other morals am I trying to get rid of by being a feminist and supporting the social, political and economical equality of women? I'm not a Christian(for reasons of how my sex is perceived and treated by Christianity), so don't use "Christian Values" as your answer to me, I want specific things so that I can make an adequate argument for or against.

Answer 11

hahaha

you're a silly man aren't you? I am assuming you're a man anyway!

To point out that a system (in this case patriarchy) is damaging to society and individuals is not dehumanising to anyone. Most feminists have relationships with men on all levels, and many feminists have children in hetero couples.
Critcising the abuse of women through patriarchy only dehumanises menif you are an extremist - a separatist who believes that mens power and very existence is solely destructive. There are VERY few women who live this way now. You really need to educate yourself about feminism. You will find that liberal feminism has many positive things to say about men. Most feminism is positive towards men who actively wish to subvert gender roles, turn their back on male dominance and violence and take an active role in childrearing