Radical feminism,humanism and women's studies

As it is not generally understood, radical feminism is first defined in terms of the concept of patriarchy. Feminists themselves now characterize radical feminism as involving sexism, views of the superiority of women over men, and the goal to establish a separate world without men, a gynocracy. Radical feminism is then contrasted with humanism and seen to be antihumanistic. Feminists themselves further claim that Women's Studies in universities and colleges is basically radical feminism. Thus, ironically, such studies which are supported for the purpose of ending sexism are, in fact, creating it. One solution is to establish Women's Studies on the philosophies of the feminists, who are moving toward what I term humanistic feminism.The author has published over twenty books (in numerous languages), ninety-five professional journal articles, regularly lectures in English, German and French at European and American universities. His special areas of research are emotion, philosophical psychology, philosophy of language and philosophy of education (specifically, teaching young people to be critical—five books—on philosophy for children).I wish to thank the following for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper: Dr. Carol McMillan (England), Dr. Ann Johnson (University of Wisconsin), Dr. Karen Kirst-Ashman (University of Wisconsin), Gisa Bohlen (Germany), and Carolyn Lesley Shibles (Wisconsin).