Jennifer Saul

By AI Staff

Jennifer Saul is currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield and the University of Waterloo in the UK, specializing in the philosophy of language and the philosophy of feminism. Saul received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester and her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Jennifer Saul has had a large influence in two areas of philosophy, not immediately or obviously connected: analytic philosophy (especially of language), and the philosophy of feminism. Analytic philosophy is a more formal treatment of philosophy involving analyzing language and communication in terms of logic and theory. The philosophy of feminism is of course focused on theoretical issues concerning women and the treatment of women in society. Saul explores both areas, to good effect. And her topics in philosophy are sometimes surprising; her 2012 book titled Lying, Misleading, and What is Said: An Exploration in Philosophy of Language and in Ethics examines the difference between overt lying and misleading, and has been called an example of “applied philosophy of language.” Interestingly, she has also explored issues in pornography, objectification, and the history of the vibrator.

Saul won the Distinguished Woman Philosopher award in Washington, D.C. by the Society for Women in Philosophy in 2011. She is a co-founder and co-blogger for the popular blog Feminist Philosophers.

Academic Website

Featured in Top Influential Philosophers Today

Major published works by Jennifer Saul:

• Lying, Misleading, and What is Said: An Exploration in Philosophy of Language and in Ethics
• Substitution, Simple Sentences and Intuitions
• Feminism: Issues & Arguments