Liberal Feminism In Contemporary Philosophy, Martha Nussbaum As A Model

Abstract

This research aims to examine liberal feminism as one of the most prominent philosophical movements in contemporary Western thought, focusing on the contributions of American philosopher Martha Nussbaum as a model for this trend. Liberal feminism is based on the principles of individual freedom and legal and political equality, and emphasizes the need to provide women with fair opportunities in various areas of life, whether in education, employment, or political participation.

However, Nussbaum goes beyond the traditional approach of liberal feminism to present a deeper philosophical framework through the Capabilities Approach, which seeks to define what humans—and women in particular—need to live a dignified life characterized by human dignity and social justice. This theory is based on a set of essential capabilities that the state and society must guarantee for every individual, such as health, education, political freedom, family formation, and living with dignity.

Through this theory, Nussbaum contributed to reframing the concept of justice beyond formal equality to substantive equality that enables women to realistically exercise their rights, making her one of the most influential voices in contemporary feminist philosophy. However, her project sparks widespread debate about its universal applicability, given the cultural and economic disparities between societies.