Abstract

This chapter explores and contests a popular rival approach to “man’s inhumanity to man”—or, in this case, women—as applied to misogyny. On this view, dubbed “humanism,” misogyny would have its source in a failure to recognize women’s full humanity. But that misogyny takes women to be human, all-too-human, is suggested by some of the ways they are resented, blamed, and punished for social norm violations. Dehumanizing attitudes and treatment are explained (away) in terms of insults, defusing the psychic threat posed by certain women, and taking revenge on those who, in failing to provide dominant men with feminine-coded care, make _him_ feel like less of a person. Finally, women’s socially unexpected behavior may lead to disgusted, startled responses, and ascribing to her an “uncanny,” robotic quality. But this, too, involves recognizing her successful participation in characteristically human activities, albeit in ways that effect gendered role reversals.