Mercier Chair Course

Teacher(s)

Frogneux Nathalie; Gosseries Axel (compensates Frogneux Nathalie);

Language

English

Main themes

The theme of the course will change each year, depending on the theme chosen by the Mercier Chairholder for that year.
This theme will be based on an ongoing research project carried out by the Chairholder; it may be related to theoretical philosophy, practical philosophy, or philosophical anthropology.

Content

This course seeks to unpack the demands of gender justice. It starts from a proposal about how we should understand the feminist project in this day and age, when the very concept of “woman” is essentially contested. We can define feminism without appealing to any particular account of of “woman” – whether as a biological or cultural category – namely as the project of resisting unjust gender norms, establishing just ones, and compensating victims of gender injustice. Any specific account of gender justice depends on the correct account of justice; the second meeting analyses this matter and the question of whether and how the nature-culture debate matters for gender justice. We then discuss whether men are victims of gender injustice, care-supporting policies as a dilemma of gender justice, the state’s role in opposing gender injustice, and duties to resist unjustified gender norms. 

Teaching methods

The 2025–26 Chaire Mercier holder is Professor Anca Gheaus (Central European University, Vienna).

1. By February 15, Professor Gheaus will post on Moodle the papers that students should read BEFORE the classes. There will around 8 papers to read for the whole course
2. The first week of classes will be the one of March 16. Participation in classes is compulsory
3. By April 10, students will send their draft paper, that should be no longer than 1000 words. Students will receive written feedback on their drafts 
4. The second week of classes will be the one of May 11. It will include a 5’ oral presentation by the students of the core of their revised ideas, based on the feedback received. 
5. By May 22, students should hand in the final version of their papers, that should be no longer than 1500 words.
6. An oral exam will take place during the session, consisting in a discussion about their paper with the students

Evaluation methods

Assessment is based on a final essay (including the oral exam on the essay) (50%) plus class participation, including the presentation of the main thesis and arguments of the essay during the last class (50%).
 

Other information

English is a requirement for this course. In case of major difficulty with English, the student is invited to contact Professor Axel Gosseries no later than during the first class.

Faculty or entity

> EFIL