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Definition:
The concept of "other" is used to describe some group which is so different from and
alien to the dominant group or culture that it has to be marginalized and kept at
arm's length. Otherwise, its difference might result in so fundamental a critique of
the dominant group's sense of identity that that identity might crumble.
This conception of "other" was first used in Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex and was applied to women, who are so alien from men that they are marginalized in society. Feminist critiques of patriarchy usually base some of their arguments on the idea that women are treated in this fashion.
The concept can also be applied, for example, to gays who are so alien from heterosexuals that their very existence poses a threat to the heterosexual identity of people. Thus, to preserve that identity, it necessary to marginalize gays and keep them out of the mainstream of society.
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Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
