Ethics of Eros - Irigaray's Re-writing of the Philosophers (Paperback, New)

The Ethics of Eros sheds new light on contemporary feminist discourse by bringing into question some of the basic distinctions and categories that orchestrate it. The work of Luce Irigaray serves as a focus for interrogating the opposition between "French" and "Anglo-American" feminism as articulated in the debate over essentialism.
Tina Charter defends Irigaray against charges of essentialism by showing that such criticism fail to consider the theoretical background of her work. Charter demonstrates that Irigaray inherited and attempted to move beyond the philosophical framework of Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida and Levinas. In tackling the debate over essentialism, Charter also reconsiders the sex/gender distinction that has been fundamental to feminist theory.
The Ethics of Eros seeks to recast the differences between "French" and "Anglo-American" feminism so that they no longer represent opposing views but become capable of productive exchanges. It explains the circumstances in which the debate over essentialism arose and reveals how essentialist misreadings of Irigaray gained currency in feminist theory. The book illuminates Irigaray's writings and demonstrates the insights they hold for current feminist theory and philosophy.