Alice Crary

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ACrary Kreutzberg 2017-2

Alice Crary is an American philosopher whose work spans a broad range of topics, including moral philosophy, feminism, animal ethics, and the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein. She is notable for her contributions to the ethical considerations of non-human animals and her critique of traditional approaches to moral philosophy that exclude the moral significance of animals and those deemed "marginalized" within human communities.

Early Life and Education

Alice Crary received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University, where she studied philosophy and mathematics. She then pursued her graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Ph.D. in philosophy. Her doctoral work, which focused on Wittgenstein and ethics, laid the groundwork for her later contributions to philosophical discussions on ethics and animal rights.

Career

Crary has held academic positions at several prestigious institutions. She has been a faculty member at the New School for Social Research in New York, where she has contributed significantly to the philosophy department, particularly in the areas of ethics and feminist philosophy.

Philosophical Work

Crary's philosophical approach is distinctive for its challenge to the traditional boundaries between ethical consideration for humans and animals. She argues that all beings, human or non-human, are deserving of moral consideration, critiquing the rationalist foundations of moral philosophy that prioritize human experiences and capabilities.

Animal Ethics

In her work on animal ethics, Crary is critical of the view that only beings who possess certain cognitive capacities are worthy of ethical consideration. She advocates for a more inclusive approach that recognizes the inherent value of all life forms, arguing that our moral thinking should be expanded to include animals as beings with their own perspectives and interests.

Feminism and Ethics

Crary's contributions to feminism are intertwined with her ethical inquiries. She examines how gender biases shape philosophical discourse and argues for a feminist approach to ethics that acknowledges the importance of traditionally marginalized voices, including women and non-human animals. Her work challenges the exclusionary practices of philosophical traditions and seeks to broaden the scope of ethical consideration.

Influence of Wittgenstein

Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophy is a central influence on Crary's work. She draws on Wittgenstein's ideas to argue against the view that language and thought are detached from the world they describe. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of context and the embeddedness of human and non-human animals within it, suggesting that our ethical considerations must account for these relationships.

Publications

Crary has authored and edited several influential works in philosophy. Her publications address a wide range of topics, from animal ethics to the role of philosophy in public life. Her writings are characterized by their interdisciplinary approach, drawing on literature, psychoanalysis, and social theory to enrich philosophical debates.

Impact and Criticism

Alice Crary's work has been both influential and controversial. She has been praised for her innovative approach to ethics and her efforts to bridge the gap between philosophical theory and practical concerns. However, her views have also faced criticism, particularly from those who argue that her expansive ethical vision challenges established norms in moral philosophy.

Conclusion

Alice Crary's contributions to philosophy represent a significant shift towards a more inclusive and context-sensitive approach to ethics. Her work challenges us to reconsider our moral obligations, not only to other humans but to all beings with whom we share the world.