Judith Butler
Judith Butler is an American philosopher and gender theorist known for influential work in feminist theory, queer theory, and critical theory.
Judith Butler is an American philosopher and gender theorist known for influential work in feminist theory, queer theory, and critical theory. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1956, Butler is especially associated with the concept of gender performativity and with the book *Gender Trouble* (1990). They have taught at the University of California, Berkeley, since 1993, and their work is widely taught in Canadian universities.
Early life and education
Judith Butler was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1956. They studied philosophy at Yale University, where they earned a PhD in 1984.
Academic career
Butler has held academic appointments at several universities and has taught at the University of California, Berkeley since 1993. They are associated with Berkeley's departments and programs in comparative literature and critical theory. Butler has received honours including the Adorno Prize and the French Ministry of Culture's Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.
Major ideas
Butler is best known for arguments about gender performativity, which examine how gender is enacted through repeated social acts. Their work is influential in feminist theory, queer theory, and related areas of cultural and political philosophy. Butler's work has focused on gender, sexuality, power, identity, vulnerability, and performativity. They have also written on ethics, psychoanalysis, political theory, and Jewish philosophy.
Selected works
Butler's major books include *Gender Trouble* (1990), *Bodies That Matter* (1993), *Excitable Speech* (1996), *The Psychic Life of Power* (1997), *Undoing Gender* (2004), and *Parting Ways* (2012). *Gender Trouble* (1990) is widely regarded as a foundational text in queer theory.
Key facts
- Judith Butler is an American philosopher and gender theorist known for the concept of gender performativity.
- *Gender Trouble* (1990) is widely regarded as a foundational text in queer theory.
- Butler has taught at the University of California, Berkeley since 1993.
- Butler's work has focused on gender, sexuality, power, identity, vulnerability, and performativity.
- Butler's work is widely taught in Canadian universities and has influenced Canadian academic and public debates.
Butler's work is widely taught in Canadian universities in philosophy, gender studies, literary studies, and political theory, and it has had substantial influence on Canadian academic and public debates about gender and identity.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Judith Butler?
What is Judith Butler known for?
Where was Judith Butler born?
Where does Judith Butler teach?
What is gender performativity?
References
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Judith-ButlerSupports: Birth date and place, American identity, major works, and influence of Gender Trouble in queer theory.
- Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy — https://rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/butler-judith-1956/v-1Supports: Biography, PhD from Yale, teaching career, and areas of philosophical work.
- UC Berkeley Critical Theory — https://criticaltheory.berkeley.edu/people/judith-butlerSupports: Academic appointment at Berkeley and PhD date.
- Birkbeck, University of London — https://www.bbk.ac.uk/about-us/fellows/judith-butlerSupports: Berkeley appointment, PhD, publications, awards, and service on human rights organizations.
- Open Library — https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL538504A/Judith_ButlerSupports: Birth date, Berkeley position, Hannah Arendt Chair, and notable books.
- Jewish Women's Archive — https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/butler-judithSupports: Jewish thought, number of books, translation count, MLA presidency, and Berkeley position.
- EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/womens-studies-and-feminism/judith-butlerSupports: Gender performativity and the significance of Gender Trouble.