Abstract
Abstract This essay identifies and describes two different paradigms for explaining the dearth of women in academic philosophy. The “Different Voices” model posits intrinsic differences between men and women that make philosophy less appealing to women. The “Perfect Storm” model appeals to the interaction effects of a variety of discriminatory practices that come together synergistically in academic philosophy. The essay argues that we ought to abandon the Different Voices model and embrace the Perfect Storm model, because the expected utility of pursuing the second is considerably higher than the expected utility of pursing the first. The essays cite several reasons for thinking this is true. Most importantly, the essay argues, Different Voices models have, both historically and currently, failed to provide appropriate empirical backing for their claims, whereas the existence of the component phenomena of the Perfect Storm model has been empirically documented. As a case study, this essay criticizes a version of the Different Voices model recently advanced by Wesley Buckwalter and Stephen Stich.
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