First published 1792
Wollstonecraft begins her inquiry by stripping away social conventions to examine fundamental truths. She argues that contemporary society forces us to return to basic principles when searching for simple truths, as prevailing prejudices must be challenged at every turn. Her method involves posing direct questions that demand clear answers, much like mathematical axioms that form the foundation of logical reasoning. Though these answers may seem obvious in isolation, she demonstrates how they become contradicted by human words and actions when mixed with complex motivations. Her central question cuts to the heart of human nature: what distinguishes humanity from animals? Her answer is unambiguous as basic arithmetic. Reason, she declares, represents the fundamental difference that elevates humans above other creatures. This foundational argument becomes the launching point for her broader examination of how society obscures these simple truths through accumulated prejudices and contradictory behaviors.
Genres: 20th-century, gender-studies, feminism, non-fiction, 19th-century, academic
Vibes: academic, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, philosophical
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century
269 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics