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The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe: The Chicago Series
Three Cartesian Feminist Treatises
One of the most radical feminist theorists in Europe before the nineteenth century, François Poullain de la Barre (1647-1723) was a man way ahead of his time. Applying Cartesian principles to "the Woman Question," Poullain demonstrated by rational deduction that the supposedly "self-evident" inequality of the sexes was nothing more than unfounded prejudice.
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.
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.
366 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2002
149 people want to read
About the author
François Poullain de la Barre
12 books8 followersInitially studying theology, Poulain de la Barre adopted the philosophy of Descartes. He became a priest in the Champagne area before converting to Protestantism. After the Edict of Fontainebleau revoked the Edict of Nantes, he was exiled in Geneva.
He applied Cartesian principles to the question of women and wrote many texts of social philosophy which denounced injustice against woman and by the inequality of the female condition. Opposing the discrimination they experienced and as one of the champions of social equality between women and men, he is a precursor of the feminists.
In 1673, he published anonymously, "equality of the two sexes, speech physical and moral where it is seen the importance to demolish itself prejudge" showing that the inequality and the treatment that women undergo does not have a natural base, but proceeds from cultural prejudice. He recommends that women receive a true education and also says all the careers should be open to them, including scientific careers.
In another work, again anonymous, "Of the education of the ladies for the control of the spirit in sciences and manners", Poulain de la Barre continues reflection on the education of the women, but, a few years later, he defends a completely opposite point of view, "Of the excellence of the men against the equality of the sexes" and refutes in a systematic way his own arguments. Pierre Bayle has advanced the theory that Poulain would have refuted his own thesis because he felt threatened, but the arguments antifeminists advanced are doubtful of this refutation. Also, the place of Poulain de la Barre in the history of feminism varies considerably from one author to another.
Simone de Beauvoir, quoting Poulain de la Barre, wrote in an epigraph to The Second Sex in 1949: "All that has been written about women by men should be suspect, for the men are at once judge and party to the lawsuit".
He applied Cartesian principles to the question of women and wrote many texts of social philosophy which denounced injustice against woman and by the inequality of the female condition. Opposing the discrimination they experienced and as one of the champions of social equality between women and men, he is a precursor of the feminists.
In 1673, he published anonymously, "equality of the two sexes, speech physical and moral where it is seen the importance to demolish itself prejudge" showing that the inequality and the treatment that women undergo does not have a natural base, but proceeds from cultural prejudice. He recommends that women receive a true education and also says all the careers should be open to them, including scientific careers.
In another work, again anonymous, "Of the education of the ladies for the control of the spirit in sciences and manners", Poulain de la Barre continues reflection on the education of the women, but, a few years later, he defends a completely opposite point of view, "Of the excellence of the men against the equality of the sexes" and refutes in a systematic way his own arguments. Pierre Bayle has advanced the theory that Poulain would have refuted his own thesis because he felt threatened, but the arguments antifeminists advanced are doubtful of this refutation. Also, the place of Poulain de la Barre in the history of feminism varies considerably from one author to another.
Simone de Beauvoir, quoting Poulain de la Barre, wrote in an epigraph to The Second Sex in 1949: "All that has been written about women by men should be suspect, for the men are at once judge and party to the lawsuit".
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 19, 2021
Francois. Poullain. de. la. Barre.
It feels impossible that he wrote as he did in the 1600s-1700s, but oh man. This guy knew what's up.
It feels impossible that he wrote as he did in the 1600s-1700s, but oh man. This guy knew what's up.
February 11, 2016
It's hard to rate this book. Some parts were extremely dull, some were wonderfully full of insight. I enjoyed the third treatise the most, as de la Barre gives great ammo against all kinds of antifeminists there, citing the fathers of Christianity and their views on equality. Moreover, many of his views are more progressive than some of the postmodern views we have today. I don't know if that is a good reason to rejoice, but if one accepts the fact that our times are not the best there have ever been, it becomes digestible. A good reading for everyone who thinks that progress exists.
March 19, 2017
Read the first treatise, "On the Equality of the Two Sexes".
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews