According to Hilde Lindemann, what is the relationship between feminist politics and feminist ethics? Reconstruct her main argument.
The essay itself should have the following structure:
An introduction paragraph, that introduces the topic briefly, and sets up the context for the thesis statement. The thesis statement should be the last sentence of the introduction paragraph. The thesis statement is ONE sentence, that clearly states the main point of the paper. In this case, it is clearly stating Lindemann’s view on the relationship between feminist politics and feminist ethics, and providing the main reason why she thinks that this is the relationship between them.
Briefly introduce Feminist Ethics. Explain its main tenets in your own words, given Lindemann’s text.
Explain what Lindemann takes to be what is the relationship between feminist politics and feminist ethics. Why does she think that? Reconstruct her main argument.
Conclusion – sum up what you’ve done in the paper.
Bibliography: list all the sources you’ve used for writing this paper. It could just be one – Lindemann’s “Feminist Ethics”, since you are providing a close reading and analysis of this text. You can also use Shafer-Landau’s relevant chapter(s) from Fundamentals of Ethics.
The purpose of this assignment is for you to demonstrate the mastery of the text you’ve been assigned.
To exhibit the structure of an argument, you will distinguish: Premises (the propositions that the argument requires you accept at the outset), and conclusions (the thesis that the author is trying to get you to agree with).
Sometimes (not always), the conclusion will be meant to follow deductively. Other times the argument will not be so tight. It will often be useful to ferret out unargued assumptions, including especially unexpressed ones, which are needed for the argument to go through. (Note that the premises don’t necessarily come first. Often a writer, for reasons of convenience or style, will say not “A, therefore B,” but “B, because A.”
Some general tips:
A thesis statement is ONE sentence that clearly states the main point of the reading you’ve identify and will provide arguments for. A thesis statement could say, the main conclusion/point/thesis of this reading is X, supported by reasons P and Q.
Next, in the first few body paragraphs you will define main terms, concepts, and theories (whenever applicable) the author relies on or discusses in the reading. Think of these as building blocks for the arguments you are going to reconstruct in the next section.
Next, in the next few body paragraphs reconstruct the main argument the author provides in support of their thesis.
Next, write a conclusion paragraph (about 5 sentences), in which you recap the main points of your essay.
Lastly, on a separate page, list your bibliography.
Citations:
You need to provide a reference for the ideas of the author. This applies when you have direct quotes, AND when you are paraphrasing. Whenever you introduce an idea, cite the source.
You should not have more than two direct quotes for such a short assignment. You do not need to have direct quotes.
Citation style: Chicago Manual Style
In-text citation should have the last name of the author, year of publication, and page number, like so: (Lindemann, 2021, 164).
For your bibliography page you should have:
Author’s last name, First name initial. (year of publication). Title of the article or chapter. In First initial of the editor (eds.) Title of the book or journal in italics. (Edition and page numbers of the article). City and state of publication: Publisher.
In this case:
Lindemann, Hilde. 2021. “Feminist Ethics.” In The Ethical Life: Fundamental Readings in Ethics and Moral Problems, edited by Russ Shafer-Landau, 5th ed., 154-164. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
