Born in Paris in 1948, Geneviève Fraisse is a philosopher whose research examines the political epistemology of feminist thought. As a scholar and public figure, she has navigated the intersection of academic theory and parliamentary practice, contributing significantly to debates on domestic service, exclusive democracy, and the conceptual history of sexual difference in the West.
Academic and Research Career
Fraisse pursued her education at the Faculty of Arts of Paris and the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences. Her career includes a long association with the National Center for Scientific Research, where she has served as Director of Research since 1997. She also contributed to the establishment of the International College of Philosophy in 1984. Beyond France, she held a position as a visiting scholar at the Institute for Advanced Study in 1990 and served as a visiting professor at Rutgers University between 2000 and 2002. From 2011 to 2013, she directed a master class at Sciences Po Paris focused on the intersection of gender and democracy.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Political Engagement
The scope of Fraisse's work extends into formal political arenas. Between 1997 and 1998, she served as an interministerial delegate on women's rights. Subsequently, she was a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004, representing the European United Left/Nordic Green Left. During this tenure, she prioritized parliamentary agendas concerning the performing arts as well as women and sport. Her experience in European politics is documented in her 2008 publication, L’Europe des idées suivi de Touriste en démocratie.
Philosophical Contributions
Author of approximately 20 books, Fraisse has analyzed the exclusion of women from democratic processes and the evolution of feminist theory. Her research postulates key concepts including the mixing of the sexes, the two governments, and the nature of consent. She co-directed Volume IV of the History of Women in the West, working alongside Michelle Perrot and Georges Duby. Her intellectual output frequently interrogates the tension between theoretical constructs and historical reality, specifically within the late modern period.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Paris
- Citizenship: France
- Director of Research, CNRS: 1997
- Member of the European Parliament: 1999-2004
- Academic Degree: Doctorate
- Awards: Honorary doctor of the University of Chile
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of Geneviève Fraisse's philosophy?
Her work centers on the political epistemology of feminist thought, including the study of exclusive democracy, the sexual division of labor, and the concept of consent.
Did Geneviève Fraisse hold political office?
Yes, she served as an interministerial delegate on women's rights from 1997 to 1998 and as a Member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004.
Achievements
- Held posts at Rutgers University, Sciences Po and National Center for Scientific Research
- Fields: late modern period, philosophy and feminist philosophy
