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Linda Zerilli is an American political theorist and feminist scholar. She is the Charles E. Merriam Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and the former director of the university's Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality. Zerilli's work focuses on feminist theory, democratic theory, Continental philosophy, and the politics of gender and sexuality. She is known for her interdisciplinary approach, engaging with thinkers such as Hannah Arendt, Judith Butler, and Monique Wittig.

Early Life and Education

Zerilli earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors from Ithaca College in 1978. She later pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she completed her Master of Arts in Political Science in 1981 and her Ph.D. in 1986. Her doctoral dissertation, titled "Images of Women in Political Theory: Agents of Culture and Chaos," was supervised by Michael Rogin, Paul Thomas, and Carolyn Porter.

Academic Career

Zerilli joined the faculty of the University of Chicago and has since become a leading figure in political theory and feminist studies. She served as the director of the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality and continues to teach and conduct research in the Department of Political Science. Her work bridges political theory, feminist thought, and Continental philosophy, with a particular focus on the role of imagination, judgment, and language in political action.

Research and Contributions

Zerilli's research explores the intersections of feminist theory, democratic politics, and Continental philosophy. She is particularly known for her critiques of traditional feminist dichotomies and her emphasis on the rhetorical nature of political claims. Her work often engages with the ideas of Hannah Arendt, emphasizing the importance of judgment and imagination in democratic politics.

In her book Feminism and the Abyss of Freedom (2005), Zerilli challenges the notion that feminist theory must provide a foundation for political action. Instead, she argues for a non-foundationalist approach that embraces the uncertainty and openness of political life. The book has been translated into Spanish, German, and Korean, and has been widely discussed in academic circles.

Her later work, A Democratic Theory of Judgment (2016), further develops her ideas on judgment in democratic politics. Zerilli critiques the limitations of public reason and advocates for a more inclusive and imaginative approach to political judgment.

Notable Publications

• Signifying Woman: Culture and Chaos in Rousseau, Burke, and Mill (1994, Cornell University Press)
• Feminism and the Abyss of Freedom (2005, University of Chicago Press)
• A Democratic Theory of Judgment (2016, University of Chicago Press)
• A Democratic Theory of Truth (forthcoming 2024, University of Chicago Press)

Key Themes in Zerilli's Work

Feminist Theory

Zerilli's work in feminist theory challenges traditional frameworks and emphasizes the importance of political imagination. She critiques the tendency to reduce feminist politics to identity-based claims and instead advocates for a more open and inclusive approach.

Democratic Theory

In her writings on democratic theory, Zerilli highlights the role of judgment and imagination in political life. She argues that democratic politics requires the ability to see the world from multiple perspectives and to engage in collective judgment.

Continental Philosophy

Zerilli's engagement with Continental philosophy, particularly the works of Hannah Arendt, Judith Butler, and Monique Wittig, has been central to her intellectual project. She integrates their ideas into her own theoretical framework, exploring the intersections of politics, language, and aesthetics.

Awards and Recognition

Zerilli has been recognized for her contributions to political theory and feminist studies. She is a Fulbright Scholar and has been a fellow at the Stanford Humanities Center. She has also served on the advisory boards of prominent academic journals, including The American Political Science Review and Philosophy and Rhetoric.

References

1. "Linda Zerilli". University of Chicago Social Sciences Division. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
2. "Linda Zerilli". University of Chicago Department of Political Science. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
3. "Linda Zerilli". University of Chicago Social Sciences Division. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
4. Witynski, Max (August 31, 2020). "The Rise of Women in U.S. Politics". University of Chicago News. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
5. "Linda Zerilli". CCCB. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
6. Berkowitz, Roger (April 2, 2020). "The Erosion of the Common World". Amor Mundi. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
7. Tooze, Adam (November 22, 2023). "The Principle of Human Dignity Must Apply to All People". The Guardian. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
8. Berkowitz, Roger (April 2, 2020). "The Erosion of the Common World". Amor Mundi. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
9. "Linda Zerilli". University of Chicago Social Sciences Division. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
10. "Linda Zerilli". University of Chicago Department of Political Science. Retrieved . {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

External Links

• Linda Zerilli's Faculty Profile at the University of Chicago
• Linda Zerilli's Department Profile at the University of Chicago
• Linda Zerilli's Profile at CCCB

• American political theorists
• Feminist theorists
• University of Chicago faculty
• Continental philosophers
• Living people
• Fulbright Scholars