Three Cartesian Feminist Treatises
Poullain published three books (anonymously) on this topic in the 1670s, all of which are included in English translation in this volume. In On the Equality of the Two Sexes he argued that the supposedly "natural" inferiority of women was culturally produced. To help women recognize and combat this prejudice, Poullain advocated a modern, enlightened feminine education in On the Education of Ladies. Finally, since his contemporaries largely ignored Poullain's writings, he offered a rebuttal to his own arguments in On the Excellence of Men—a rebuttal that he promptly countered, strengthening his original positions.
A truly modern feminist, Poullain laid the intellectual groundwork for the women's liberation movement centuries before it happened.
“An excellent new translation by Vivien Bosley, which succeeds in emulating the clarity of expression to which the author claimed to aspire in his original French works. Although a number of translations of the treatises have appeared in recent years, this edition will enable Poullain de la Barre’s work to receive the recognition it deserves.”—Journal of European Studies
Introduction: Poullain de la Barre's Cartesian Feminism
Note on the Texts
On the Equality of the Two Sexes
Introduction
On the Equality of the Two Sexes
On the Education of Ladies
Introduction
On the Education of Ladies
On the Excellence of Men: Preface and Remarks
Introduction
Preface
Remarks
Select Bibliography
Index
History: European History
Literature and Literary Criticism: Romance Languages
Philosophy: Philosophy of Religion
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