ABSTRACT

In this chapter I take stock of the progress that has been made in the recovery of women philosophers, as reflected in the foregoing chapters of the volume. I argue that this work of recovery may be considered a ‘renaissance’ of women’s philosophy, comparable to the recovery of philosophical texts during the European Renaissance of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. I emphasise the important role of contextualist historical approaches in bringing about this ‘new Renaissance’ and reflect on some of the changes which will result from integrating women into the philosophical mainstream. I conclude by arguing that this “new Renaissance” of women’s philosophy augurs well for a more inclusive history of philosophy.