Encyclopedia of Concise Concepts by Women Philosophers Launches Online

The Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists has launched the Encyclopedia of Concise Concepts by Women Philosophers, a new website that aims to recover the contributions of women philosophers historically omitted from the canon. The project, a joint effort by Paderborn University's Ruth Hagengruber and Cleveland State's Mary Ellen Waithe, currently features around 100 entries written by recognized scholars, with more added every few months. The site includes sections for Concepts, Keywords, Philosophers, and Contributors, covering thinkers from Diotima of Mantinea to Jane Addams. The initiative responds to persistent gender disparities in academic philosophy: in the UK, only 25% of philosophy department members are women, and in the US the figure is even lower. Research shows that introductory philosophy syllabi are over 89% male-authored, and textbooks have only 6% women authors. The encyclopedia seeks to broaden the philosophical tradition and help retain women in the field by integrating these overlooked thinkers into curricula. Notable entries include Jane Addams, whose work on democracy and social ethics anticipated contemporary political philosophy, and Diotima of Mantinea, revered by Socrates. The site is available at historyofwomenphilosophers.org.