Soc 0150
Notes for March 23, 2006
Recorded by Brian Meyer
Marx
-What is essential in recognizing social order?
-Materialist determine evolutionary model of change
-Marx evolutionary model of change overtime…Revolution rather than evolution
-Gilman is evolutionary rather than revolutionary; she is both materialist/idealist
in both senses of the word.
-Where does Gilman show idealism?
-When referring to androcracy rather that being a democracy.
-in the sense that she explains how things should be, “rule by all
people”(democracy)
-Marx b/c he is materialist explains a change will come b/c of free market
-Gilman doesn’t have sense of material change such as Marx.
-Gilman is an idealist using theoretical concepts/social diagnosis to manifest her
ideal beliefs
“By presenting this critique of society/change on ideals, then we can figure out
how to change materially.” Gilman is attempting to change people’s minds. This
is a different concept when compared to Marx epistemology.
Mill/Gilman both say that gender classification is in our heads.
-this is deferent from Engel who says, “that the basis of
subordination/domestication of the female is material due to neutralization of
gender roles. Such as…
-exclusion from social production
-forced inheritance….(capitalistic nature)
-Mills argues that subordination/domestication is based upon lack of quality of
life and freedom of conduct.
-Mills also says that this is caused by male despots and by birth, not based on
merit.
-Based on idea (birth) not material…material is hard to find.
-trying to persuade you that both sexes are already equal but don’t
view it this way b/c of male structure of gender roles.
The material aspect of both Gilman/Engel are missing.
Commonalities:
-Mills must be idealist, but how do we define material aspect?
-Gilman uses functionalist concepts:
