Why aren't there more women in analytic philosophy?

Question

I go to an all women's college. Many people there constantly complain about how there are few women in math and science, yet it seems that nobody ever mentions how few women are in philosophy, particularly analytic philosophy. I prefer analytic philosophy - philosophy of language, logic, and generally anything involving rigorous proofs. The few women who are in philosophy are into continental philosophy.

Why is this? I can find very little literature on women in philosophy - just math and science. Furthermore, why is it that sociologists and feminists seem to be focusing mostly on women in math and science and never bring up the lack of women in analytic philosophy?

Answer 1

The female philosophy professors I had were all analytic philosophers. My logic professor was female. There are fewer females in philosophy in general. I do not know that continental philosophy attracts more females, my own experiences have indicated that female philosophers are at least as likely to be analytically oriented. Of course I live in the US and most of the departments here are analytically oriented.

Perhaps the continental lean that you notice has to do more with your school than with broader tendencies among female philosophers? I take it your school is likely small and private, perhaps with an orientation towards liberal arts? All of these may very well be factors which would be more likely to attract continental-leaning professors. I don't know this for a fact, but it may be something to consider.

Answer 2

the old stereotype of women being more intuitive than rational perhaps?

There seem to be more women drawn to psychology which is kind of applied philosophy.  Perhaps women want to actually get out there and do something with their philosophy instead of just sit around with their tongues wagging, which is what the men tend to do.

Answer 3

How many people can really stand analytic philosophy? They don't make a fuss about the number of women in paleozoology either. Maybe math & science are much broader categories than analytic philosophy or paleozoology. In a category of a dozen people, not many care how many are which kind.

Answer 4

Some people argue that few women are in analytic philosophy because of gender dynamics. Others would contend that women inherently do not belong in analytic philosophy, although I know some excellent female analytic philosophers.

Answer 5

They hate wasting their time.