My research revolves around feminist philosophy, understood as the transformation of philosophy into a feminist praxis. My thesis critically investigates the concept of sexual difference^[1] as an implicit and yet enduring category within the Western philosophical canon.

My primary contention is that the dichotomy between genders (as traditionally conceptualised) and the unfavourable perception of women subtly influence various canonical philosophical frameworks that, on the surface, appear neutral. This acknowledgment forms the basis of my research questions: (1) how can sexual difference be destabilised as a philosophical principle? And (2) how can philosophy become less patriarchal?

By working through these questions, my research carries out three key philosophical interventions. Firstly, it sheds light on the role patriarchal conceptions of gender play within Western philosophy, underscoring the importance of investigating the foundational pillars that sustain patriarchal thought rather than exclusively addressing its symptomatic manifestations. Secondly, I explore and flesh out the conditions of existence of a genuinely feminist form of philosophy: whether and how philosophy can distance itself from its patriarchal underpinnings. Thirdly, this work serves as a critical examination of proposals that have emerged in the wake of ‘philosophies of difference,’ which have gained prominence in contemporary continental and feminist discussions. Particularly, by problematising their reliance on the notion of ‘constitutive exclusion,’ my thesis urges for a more nuanced response to established philosophical narratives.