Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft: ? Influenced by John Locke "A vindication of the rights of men" "A vindication of the rights of women" Locke believed that it is important to train children from a very young age to avoid overindulgence and to follow reason and virtue for Locke, good ethics comes first, notions come second. Wollstonecraft warns against overindulgence and absent mothers who turn their children to ignorant and superstitious servants. It is important mothers be educated and rational in order to bring up rational and virtuous children. Men have God-given rights: 1. Life 2. freedom 3. natural equality But what about women? Mary Astel: "Reflections upon Marriage" "Women become property when they are born? Why are only men born free?" Rights-Duties If rights are not respected, one cannot be expected to fulfill his/her duties. ? At the same time, if one does not fulfill duties, he/she forfeits rights. ? Only laws and customs that are compatible with divinely granted human rights deserve rights. ? Example: Arranged marriages ? Children whose happiness is sacrificed to wealth or political expediency cannot be expected to fulfill marital duties of fidelity or parental responsibility ? Ex. education ? Women and men deprived of a good education cannot be expected to fufill their duties as spouses, parents, etc. Marianne is encouraged to feel, not to think. Women are encouraged to listen only to their senses; overexcercised sensibility; overemotional Women are encouraged to not spend a lot of time thinking.. Marie Antoinette: discouraged from any intellectual pursuit Reason is absolutely necessary to women to perform their duties. Conclusion: encouraging any human being to abdicate the duty to use and train their reason is detrimental