Wollstonecraft on Feminism 1759 - 1797 · Alcoholic, abusive father · Predominantly self taught . Published two key books in France during the French Revolution · Illegitimate daughter · Radical ideals for the time of reception Dualisms: Reason - Passion Mind - Body Freedom - Slavery Civilisation - Barbarism Whilst we should be rational agents we give in to our (left) urges as opposed to keeping to the (right). Positive liberty entails that we are ruled by our reasoning according to Berlin. Where do women come into dualisms? For many writer's women have been believed to be more inclined to fit the (right) - the categories on the left in fact do not just belong to men. Women can also use their ability to reason. 'knowledge of the two sexes should be the same in nature' -WSC Wollstonecraft does not challenge these dualisms she just believes women are just as likely to display both sides of the dualisms as men are. Her claims are that women's control of their passions they can be made free (as men can do the same). She is also part of the liberal tradition [amongst Locke, Mill, with whom she shares various assumptions with]. There is a strong belief in progress and enlightenment, like Mill, that man and woman are aggressive. Also, education improves us. And liberty is fundamental to this betterment. What matters is the individual. 'all distinctions between the sexes are socially constructed' -WSC . In an attempt to justify the subjugation of women men have applied these features to women. The female traits were created to serve this purpose. · Education should be open to both sexes. Challenges Rousseau; 'the law of nature bids the woman to obey the man' according to Rousseau women are entirely structured on their sexual purpose alone. They are designed by nature to lack the capacity to reason, as they can only be submissive, leaving them out of any kind of education. Rousseau limits citizenship to men. As a progressive thinker he faced challenges to these views, unsurprisingly. He claimed its down to men to interpret what women mean because they are incapable of making any form of educated statement. The differences between men and women are socially constructed by norms, education and culture. Wollstonecraft goes on to argue that these social constructs lead girls to have the interests they are fed from a young age.
> The importance of education: To participate in society women should be given the same rights to education as man. The extension of educational opportunities was necessary. >> Civil rights: Right to participate like men. > Access to occupation: Have same opportunities > Political representation: Have the rights to political representation. Society can collectively benefit if their individual members are given the chance to fulfil their social potential with rights to the above. Education frees women from the social roles prescribed by the male counterpart and enables them to lead their lives in a free and rational way of their own.