After #MeToo

This book is a robust critical analysis of the #MeToo movement within the context of radical feminism by an emeritus professor of philosophy. It is a timely corrective to exaggerated claims associated with this movement, a criticism also articulated by a group of French women, who themselves were castigated for their intervention. The heart of the issue concerns two views of women: whether they are responsible moral agents or a collective of victims of sexual crimes by predatory males. This was the point made by the French women, that they can frequently just say no, although some cases are undoubtedly more inextricable and constitute an illegitimate use of power. The first chapter looks at feminism in general, before moving on to questions relating to women at work and the validity of the concept of patriarchy. Here the author points out that women now make up the majority of teachers and that a 50-50 ratio in every profession is neither necessarily logical or desirable. He makes a number of pertinent observations from a masculine point of view, showing that men often get the short straw – shorter lives, harsher treatment by courts, greater mortality from physical violence in war. The chapter on toxic masculinity shows the concept to be a caricature with respect to most men, while a shrill insistence on believing only the woman's report of a rape incident leads to a situation where accusation is tantamount to conviction and guilt, even though the law allows for due process and a presumption of innocence until proved guilty. These reflections also apply to the tricky issue of consent, where rape has been transformed from a crime of violence to a violation of personal autonomy. The author shows how this concept is in practice unworkable and, more generally, how political correctness requires to be called into question, especially in university settings. He undoubtedly overstates his argument in a number of places, but this is useful in obliging readers to reassess their own position on these matters more critically.