Categories We Live By

Ásta's book is informative, lucidly written, and innovative. It ofers a valuable contribution to social ontology, social constructionism, and feminist metaphysics. * Jonathan Y. Tsou, Iowa State University, Metascience *
In Categories We Live By, Ásta presents an original way of understanding social properties in general, and social properties like sex and gender in particular. In so doing, Ásta has opened up a promising new direction for future research on social categories. Though her theoretical orientation is directed at metaphysical questions, she is motivated by feminist aims. Indeed, the book is full of claims that both metaphysicians and feminist philosophers will find interesting. As such, Categories We Live By is a valuable contribution to both social metaphysics and feminist theory. * Hypatia Reviews Online *
Ástas view of social properties is clear, precise, and elegant. She offers a unifying explanation for what social properties are, why they are of interest, and how they shape our daily lives. We are resoundingly impressed by this theory, and by the care with which Ásta has explained and defended it. we cannot say enough good things about this book. Ásta has written a landmark contribution to feminist metaphysics. It is compelling, engaging, and carefully argued. And it is a must-read for anyone interested in social ontology and the nature of social kinds. * Elizabeth Barnes and Matthew Andler, University of Virginia, Mind *
This book is not only elegant and a joy to read; it also advances the field of social ontology by offering an alternative to constitution accounts and placing communal properties at the center of social reality. It is a must-read for anyone interested in social ontology and social theory. * Åsa Burman, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
What does it mean to say that identities are socially constructed? This excellent book digs deep into the metaphysical and political issues involved in this idea. Ásta is an immensely talented philosopher, and here she brings the debate over gender to the next level. A book to be reckoned with. * Linda Martín Alcoff, Professor of Philosophy, CUNY Graduate Center *
Categories We Live By is a fresh and illuminating look at the construction of human categories. * Ron Mallon, Professor and Chair, Philosophy & Director, Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program, Washington University in St. Louis *
Categories We Live By offers an important and original account of the construction of the social world. Drawing on her broader conferralist approach in metaphysics, Ásta gives a compelling account of how our actions constitute social categories. In doing so, she brings tremendous analytical clarity and political insight into areas that are often obscured in consideration of the social domain and provides resources for social agency and social change. * Sally Haslanger, Ford Professor of Philosophy and Women's & Gender Studies, MIT *
Categories We Live By investigates human social kinds, such as gender and race, in a way that seamlessly blends metaphysics, social ontology, and feminist philosophy. As Ásta observes, 'camping out at that intersection can be a cold and lonely endeavour': each group has a different conception of what philosophy should aim to do, and there is plenty of mutual suspicion. As a fellow camper at that intersection, I know this all too well - which is why I am so heartened by the way that this excellent and exciting book manages to make that intersection a warmer and more inviting place. * Katharine Jenkins, The Philosophers' Magazine *