EARLY VIEW:
Feminist Film Theory: The Impact of Female Representation in Modern Movies
In contemporary American cinema, the representation of women remains disproportionately limited despite significant social movements advocating for diversity and equality. This study examines the depiction of women in top-grossing films of 2018, contrasting those directed by men with those directed by women, to understand the influence of gender dynamics on cinematic portrayal. Analyzing the top five highest-grossing live-action movies directed by each gender, this research utilizes critical mass and critical actor theories to evaluate the impact of female filmmakers on the representation of women both on and off-screen. Findings reveal that films directed by women feature higher percentages of female characters and crew members in key roles, yet face substantial budgetary and box office disparities compared to their male-directed counterparts. Despite some progress, the film industry continues to exhibit systemic biases, necessitating further structural changes to achieve genuine gender equality in cinematic storytelling. This study underscores the need for increased opportunities and resources for female filmmakers to foster a more inclusive and diverse cinematic landscape.
Did Antinatalism Precede Philosophy?
The interview given by Matti Häyry, PhD, Professor of Philosophy of Management at the Aalto University School of Business. Prof. Häyry has been involved in reproductive ethics and antinatalist philosophy since 1984. His 2004 A rational cure for prereproductive stress syndrome is considered to be the first expression of the so-called risk argument against procreation. His most recent publications on the topic, with Amanda Sukenick, include Imposing a lifestyle: A new argument for antinatalism and Antinatalism, Extinction, and the End of Procreative Self-Corruption. The origin and evolution of his views have been chronicled in detail on The Exploring Antinatalism Podcast, especially in its episode #65 and in episodes #1, #2 and #3 of its subchannel Hankikanto – Falling into the Anti/Natal Abyss.
No Perils of Rejecting the Parity Argument
Many moral realists have employed a strategy for arguing for moral realism by claiming that if epistemic normativity is categorical and that if this epistemic normativity exists, then categorical normativity exists. In this paper, we will discuss that argument, examine a way out, and respond to the objections people have recently raised in the literature. In the end, we conclude that the objections to our way out will do little in the way of motivating those who already do not believe in categorical normativity, thereby severing the power the aforementioned parity argument is designed to possess.