"Explaining Mansplaining through Frameworks of Silencing, Epistemic Injustice, and Gender Metaphysics”

Maria Jankowska (University of Freiburg)

Mansplaining is one of the most prevalent yet underestimated gendered phenomena that has serious implications and potential harms. Surprisingly, despite the systematic societal impact and recognition that it has, its philosophical analyses are scarce. The ones that do exist fail to address the question of gender construction in mansplaining, which is pivotal to the concept. For a phenomenon that is gendered at its core, this constitutes a critical research gap within the discourse. To provide a foundation for my exploration, I will analyse mansplaining through three philosophical frameworks: silencing, epistemic injustice, and gender metaphysics.  The first one will provide me with a foundation, the second will elaborate on the harms, and, finally, gender metaphysics unveil the core of mansplaining. The exploration will lead me to the claim that “mansplaining is a way gender is constructed.”