The Need for an Alternative Narrative to the History of Ideas or To Pay a Debt to Women: A Feminist Approach to Ricœur's Thought

• Main Author: Fernanda Henriques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2013-06-01
• Series: Études Ricoeuriennes / Ricoeur Studies
• Subjects: Women’s Studies, Ricœur, History, Memory, Identity
• Online Access: http://ricoeur.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/ricoeur/article/view/172

This paper explores the thought of Paul Ricœur from a feminist point of view. My goal is to show that it is necessary to narrate differently the history of our culture – in particular, the history of philosophy – in order for wommen to attain a self-representation that is equal to that of men. I seek to show that Ricoeur’s philosophy – especially his approach to the topics of memory and history, on the one hand, and the human capacity for initiative, on the other hand– can support the idea that it is possible and legitimate to tell our history otherwise by envisioning a more accurate truth about ourselves.