Autonomy, Universality, and Playing the Guitar: On the Politics and Aesthetics of Contemporary Feminist Deployments of the "Master's Tools"

In: Hypatia: a journal of feminist philosophy, Band 24, Heft 2, S. 77-100

Abstract

Some feminists have argued that the "master's tools" cannot be utilized for feminist projects. When read through the lens of non-ideal theory, Judith Butler's reevaluation of "autonomy" and "universality" and Peaches's engagement with guitar rock are instances in which implements of patriarchy are productively repurposed for feminist ends. These examples evince two criteria whereby one can judge the success of such an attempt: first, accessibility and efficacy; second, that the use is deconstructive of its own conditions.