Abstract for Martha Nussbaum conference to be presented on 7th May at Notts University
April 1, 2010
The Family, Dependency and Common Goods
Abstract
Nussbaum is critical of the priority Rawls gives to the conventional family as part of the basic structure of society. By envisioning heads of households in the Original Position, Rawls assumes that the family has a prepolitical form and is therefore somehow ‘natural’. Contemporary liberal theory generally agrees that the state should not interfere in this private sphere unless individual rights are being violated. Liberal theory, Nussbaum argues, does not recognise that the modern nuclear family is defined and constructed by the state and therefore fails to examine the family’s internal functioning permitting the state to only place external limits on its function. Nussbaum argues that this approach only gives legal recognition and protection to one type of affiliative grouping. In contrast her approach does not give priority to any one grouping but begins instead by focussing on the capabilities and liberties of the individual and then examines how successful different affiliative groupings are in promoting these individual capabilities. Conventional families, she argues, actually do less well in providing love, friendship and other capabilities than do, for example, women’s collectives. We may also look to MacIntyre for an alternative treatment of the family, though he has not explicitly provided it himself. I will argue MacIntyre’s emphasis on the vulnerability and dependency of humans informs the basis of an Aristotelian common good. The common good of any society should be to actualise human potential and enable citizens to achieve eudaimonia. Care is necessary to actualise the potentials of those who cannot achieve this independently. In fact, most citizens rely on some level of interdependency to achieve their good and many are completely dependent. I will argue that the family can be a site of this care which helps to actualise the potentials of the very young, as well as those others who are to different degrees dependent; but it can also be a site of exploitation. The family should therefore be judged on if it provides care in just ways and fosters the virtues required not only for the good internal to the family but also for the good of the wider community and for the individual members of that community or affiliative group.
Interview with Stereo Total singer Francoise Cactus
April 1, 2010
I meant to put out this in a zine I started called Ach, Ach Liebling but that went out of the window when I started my PhD as I can only do one thing at once. So instead of wasting this lovely interview and other material I have, I thought I would publish it here… enjoy. The 1st question was related to the zine in case its confusing…
1. First of all, I ought to ask out of politeness, do you mind me naming this zine after one of your songs? It’s called Ach Ach Liebling..
fc: Not at all. that is a proof of your good taste! This means something like ouch! ouch darling!
2. I last saw you play at Indietracks festival in the UK and I got involved in the stage invasion. The security people didn’t look too pleased. Do you cause that much trouble at all of your gigs or did you just feel sorry for us getting wet in the rain?
fc: The stage invasion was fun. We like to invite people on stage, because we want to share our music with them. Sometimes it gets crazy! the security just hates it! we did it also in china, even if it is completely forbidden there. On this Indietracks festival, I just admired the British coolness. The people standing under this terrible rain and still smiling and having fun, you don’t see that in Berlin!
3. Will your latest album ‘No Controles Stereo Total’, out now on Elefant records, actually help me to learn Spanish as your website claims? Or will I just learn rude words in Spanish?
fc: oh no! the lyrics are not rude at all! They are romantic, funny and revolutionary! But what you will get after learning Spanish with Stereo Total is a strong French accent, I have got it in every language, except in French!
4. Why do you like singing in so many different languages and redoing your own songs in different languages?
fc: This is a good gymnastic for my tongue. And you know, as a more or less young dynamic woman, I like to try out all kinds of different things! I love this multicultural stuff and think all frontiers should disappear!
5. When can we next expect to see you play in the UK again? Your performance at Indietracks this summer was the most fun I’ve had at a gig all year!
fc: Inbetween we were playing once in London, 29th of October at the Luminaire. It was such a great show, the kids went crazy. We really love to play on your island, even if it is really badly paid, but the audience is the best. Lovely, good looking, funny and in good moods!
... it was raining hard and we all needed somewhere dry to dance
Ladyfest 10 blog
December 16, 2009
Get involved! Ladyfest Ten is coming and they have set up a very lovely blog here at WordPress
Boozie Sioux loves….
December 12, 2009
…these bands which happen to be (mostly) female bands:
Wetdog – http://www.myspace.com/wetdogthebest
The best band around at the minute based in London, this all girl group are vaguely reminiscent of the Raincoats and Delta 5 but they have their own unique sound which is very hard to pigeon hole. It drifts between angular post punk and… well folk I guess. Their new album Frauhaus is out now on Angular Records buy it here > http://angular.greedbag.com/buy/frauhaus-0/
Je Suis Animal - http://www.myspace.com/jesuisanimal
Also on Angular but this time from Norway. Lush harmonies, 80s new wave and dreamy 60s psychedelic pop
Dum Dum Girls – http://www.myspace.com/dumdumgirls
Just signed to Sub Pop, this band started out less of a band and more of a solo thing of front woman Dee Dee but now features a full backing band including Frankie Rose formerly of Vivian Girls and Crystal Stilts. Blissed out 60s girl group inspired but with a rough distorted edge
The Mayfair Set – http://www.myspace.com/themayfairset
The joint project of the above’s Dee Dee and one of Blank Dogs I know very little about this band but I adore their 7″ offerings and apparently they are working on their LP right now.
Liechtenstein – http://www.myspace.com/liechtensteinia
Hailing from Sweden this all-girl band are influenced by British 80s bands like the Mo-Dettes and Girls At Our Best. They sound a bit like Nico crossed with the Raincoats crossed with Tallulah Gosh, if you can imagine that. They have an album out now on Slumberland Records http://www.myspace.com/slumberlandrecords where you will find many other excellent bands like the aforementioned Mayfair Set.
This Many Boyfriends – http://www.myspace.com/howmanyboyfriends
Leeds-based Indie pop band who sing about the Pastels and who’s songs are all perfectly formed pop gems. See them live now in the back room of your local before they get big (which I’m sure they will – though probs not X-Factor big).
Two of my favourite cover versions ever!
TRASH KIT!!!
May 12, 2009
So Fine…
February 7, 2009
Rape crisis? who cares
February 6, 2009
This article was brought to my attention by Jess McCabe over at the F-Word blog and I was shocked to discover that there only existed one dedicated rape crisis centre in our capital city, the future of which is in jeopardy. It was even more saddening to read this quote from the crisis centre’s chief executive: “Who is interested in rape crisis centres unless they’ve been raped?”
This is indeed a “terrible situation” and even more terrible for the fact that no one cares about the well-being and support of rape victims other than the victims themselves; not even politicians! Appearently Boris pledged sustainable funding to the centre for the next 4 years before he was elected to mayoral office but since then it seems to have slipped his mind. The victims of rape and the employees at the centre should not have to chain themselves to the railings of Downing Street to receive crucial funds that will allow them to carry on with their dedicated service. This is a public service provided for by the state that shouldn’t have to fight to stay open. And we shouldn’t have to need the service ourselves to care about it’s survival. The fact that another London rape crisis centre closed 6 or 7 years ago unnoticed without protest from any of the public deeply saddens me but also shows that this sort of thing is not publicised or reported on by the media.
In this time of financial downturn the British public seem more concerned about the loss of retail chains like Woolworths than the lack of funding for crucial social work which supports victims of some of the most sickening and perverse crimes. Once again, the women’s movement is an inconvenient “pain in the neck” and a drain on public resources. Afterall, these victims (who are predominantly women) should just pick themselves up, brush themselves off and carry on regardless instead of moaning about their hard lot in life. You don’t hear men complaining!
Some stuff about what floats my boat…
February 6, 2009
I am a feminist in my political theory, philosophy and as much as possible in practice. I want to seek new ways of ethical thinking about justice and morality that do not depend on liberal theory nor do they seek to be conservative. I am interested in radical anti-capitalist theories rooted in practice and intellectual tradtions. But these traditions must not stagnate in dogmatic assertions or distort themselves with prejudice. They must seek rationality from within through the goods of human excellence. They must be challenged by their own premises and constantly improved through practice and reflection. I am very influenced by contemporary Aristotelians such as Alasdair MacIntyre and Kelvin Knight. I am also fascinated by any women who successfully contribute to philosophical and political theory in engaging ways that challenge dominant masculine ways of thinking. I am presently enjoying discovering the many ways in which we can approach the history of political thought through the works of Collingwood, Strauss, Gadamer and Taylor. My current favourite read is the collection of letters between two great friends – Hannah Arendt and Mary McCarthy.
