Much work in feminist ethics has been rather abstract. The editors of this work believe that the time has come to assess the potential contribution of feminist ethical theory to the evaluation of specific social policies. If feminist ethics has indeed mobilized important paradigm shifts in normative analysis, then this should enable creative ways of reflection on social policy. Feminist ethics criticizes the gender blindness and biases in much traditional ethical theory, and develops new theories and concepts that are more gender sensitive. Feminist ethics also works to conceptualize issues of right action, social justice, and the human good from out of the specifically gendered experience of diverse groups of women. Feminist ethics has no single set of questions or propositions, but includes a variety of approaches as demonstrated by these essays—some operate within a liberal framework of equality, freedom, justice, and rights, while others are more critical of mainstream liberal versions of these concepts.

Patrice DiQuinzio, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Director of Women's Studies at Muhlenberg College, has published articles in Hypatia and Women and Politics.
Iris Marion Young, Professor of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, is the author of Throwing Like a Girl and Justice and the Politics of Difference.