Mary Astell: Theorist of Freedom from DominationPhilosopher, theologian, educational theorist, feminist and political pamphleteer, Mary Astell was an important figure in the history of ideas of the early modern period. Among the first systematic critics of John Locke's entire corpus, she is best known for the famous question which prefaces her Reflections on Marriage: 'If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?' She is claimed by modern Republican theorists and feminists alike but, as a Royalist High Church Tory, the peculiar constellation of her views sits uneasily with modern commentators. Patricia Springborg's study addresses these apparent paradoxes, recovering the historical and philosophical contexts to her thought. She shows that Astell was not alone in her views; rather, she was part of a cohort of early modern women philosophers who were important for the reception of Descartes and who grappled with the existential problems of a new age. |
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Page 3
... Remarks upon Some of Mr. Norris ' Books , wherein he asserts P. Malebranche's Opinion of seeing all Things in God ' of 1693 , and The Reasonableness of Christianity of 1695 , have strongly polemical targets . But Astell's feminism is ...
... Remarks upon Some of Mr. Norris ' Books , wherein he asserts P. Malebranche's Opinion of seeing all Things in God ' of 1693 , and The Reasonableness of Christianity of 1695 , have strongly polemical targets . But Astell's feminism is ...
Page 23
... remark . It is true that English- language philosophy , for instance , tends to be analytic , as opposed to the more Verstehende modes of Continental philosophy , phenomenology and existentialism , and that the modern experimental ...
... remark . It is true that English- language philosophy , for instance , tends to be analytic , as opposed to the more Verstehende modes of Continental philosophy , phenomenology and existentialism , and that the modern experimental ...
Page 24
... remark about outdated philosophy that " " deserves " to be left out of the canon ' leaves me wondering if she too has not been infected ! In the account of modernity as 24 Introduction : Astell and Early Modern Feminism.
... remark about outdated philosophy that " " deserves " to be left out of the canon ' leaves me wondering if she too has not been infected ! In the account of modernity as 24 Introduction : Astell and Early Modern Feminism.
Page 29
... remarks , Atterbury reported : 9 I happen'd about a fortnight agoe to dine with Mrs Astell . She spoke to me of my Sermon & desired me to Print it : & after I had given her the proper answers , hinted to me that she should be glad of ...
... remarks , Atterbury reported : 9 I happen'd about a fortnight agoe to dine with Mrs Astell . She spoke to me of my Sermon & desired me to Print it : & after I had given her the proper answers , hinted to me that she should be glad of ...
Page 30
... Remarks upon Some of Mr. Norris ' Books , wherein he asserts P. Malebranche's Opinion of seeing all Things in God ' of 1693. Norris ' comments had deeply disturbed Locke , but he withheld publication of the reply in his lifetime ...
... Remarks upon Some of Mr. Norris ' Books , wherein he asserts P. Malebranche's Opinion of seeing all Things in God ' of 1693. Norris ' comments had deeply disturbed Locke , but he withheld publication of the reply in his lifetime ...
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