Symposium Abstract

Emily Zehnder

Department of History and Philosophy

In the Eye of the Beholder: On the Existence of a Feminist Aesthetic

The conspicuous absence of great women artists in the canon, combined with the fact that aesthetic criteria have traditionally been formed by white males, leads some feminists to assert the existence of a feminist aesthetic that takes into account women's unique perspectives. Despite its initial appeal, this approach raises numerous conceptual problems. This paper suggests that aesthetic criteria should not be the primary focus of women attempting to improve the status of women in the arts.

Session B — 10:00 a.m. — Gallery I.

Emily Zehnder

Department of History and Philosophy

High Hopes and Slippery Slopes: The Controversy Over Stem Cell Research

While many hail stem cell research as offering humanity the great possibility of curing or combating a range of diseases, some scientists and not a few observers raise numerous bioethical considerations over the procurement of the embryos and their treatment. These critics question the limitations of a science that confronts the very idea of what it means to be human. This paper examines the complex religious, legal, scientific, philosophical and political aspects of this issue.

Session C — 12:30 p.m. — Faculty Lounge.