ray of perspectives on women's sexual liberation. I am deeply concerned that the absence of such a framework, particularly in light of renewed attacks on feminism from the political right, has the potential to splinter feminist ranks, thus weakening feminism's efforts to promote the sexual agency and self-definition of all women. Therefore, this book is designed to appeal not only to those already committed to feminism but also to those who are skeptical of feminism's place in their sexual lives or uncertain of whether feminism can survive internal debates among competing feminist constituencies. The book is also written for those who would like to know more about how feminism and women's sexuality can be integrated into a framework for philosophizing about sexa framework designed to encourage respect for sexual diversity in a caring community of socially responsible women and men.
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Several colleagues, friends, and family members have made the writing of this enormously challenging project worth every frustrating moment. First, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Al Spangler and Jed Shafer, both of whom read the first long draft of this book from start to finish and took the time to offer their constructive criticisms throughout. To Robin Parks, Julie Van Camp, and Laurie Shrage, who read significant portions of the manuscript, I attribute many of the important feminist philosophical insights that would otherwise have escaped me. Robin has taught me more about the creativity and complexity of women than I ever thought possible. Alan Soble and John Miller shared their observations on feminist sexual politics with me in detailed correspondence. Carol Caraway, president of the Society for the Philosophy of Sex and Love, generously gave me the opportunity to read a portion of the manuscript at the Eastern Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association in Atlanta in 1993, where I received valuable feedback. The Philosophy Department at California State University, Long Beach, also organized and advertised two colloquia in which I presented papers on sexual promiscuity and the commercial sex industry, both of which became part of the current book.
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To Ann Garry, Sandra Bartky, and Rosemarie Tong, I offer my thanks for their willingness to read the manuscript for Oxford University Press should they be asked. I would like to express a particularly heartfelt thank-you to Rosie, who has given me endless encouragement to pursue what for me is one of the most difficult and elusive disciplines I have ever encountered. Ann and Sandra generously contributed incisive commentary on the manuscript at a special session of the Pacific Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association in Berkeley, March 1997. I also wish to extend my appreciation to Julie Van Camp for initiating this panel discussion and organizing it in her consistently efficient and responsible way. Without the support and confidence of Robert Stewart, I would never have considered my work in feminist philosophy of interest to Oxford University Press. Rob also agreed to chair the Berkeley APA special session where my work in the feminist philosophy of sex was discussed. I also wish to thank philosophy advisers Philip Kitcher and Barry Stroud and editors Angela Blackburn, Robert Miller, and Cynthia Read at Oxford University Press for their encouragement and constructive commentary on my work. Cynthia was especially helpful in negotiating and generating the finished product. Production editor Paula Wald was instrumental in bringing the manuscript to print on schedule.
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