Review article
https://doi.org/10.21464/mo.32.62.2
Through education to equality between men and women – the discourse of François Poullain de la Barre
Sofija Vrcelj
orcid.org/0000-0001-9531-3293
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Croatia
*
Kornelija Mrnjaus
orcid.org/0000-0003-4273-0442
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the feminist ideas of François Poullain de la Barre, one of the first male philosophers to systematically address the issue of equality of the sexes. Grounded in Cartesian philosophy, Poullain sought to challenge the dominant misogynistic prejudices of the 17th century by arguing for the intellectual and social equality of women and men. In his works De l’égalité des deux sexes, De l’éducation des dames, and De l’excellence des hommes. Contre l’égalité des sexes, he critically examined the biases that positioned women as inferior. Although historically underrecognized within feminist discourse, his work anticipates Enlightenment and liberal feminist theories by emphasizing that women’s inequality arises from social constructions rather than natural limitations. Through dialogical form and epistemological radicalism, Poullain advocated for the reform of education and social institutions to enable women to achieve genuine freedom of thought and action.
Keywords
François Poullain de la Barre; feminism; equality of the sexes; Cartesianism; women’s education
Hrčak ID:
346031
URI
Publication date:
7.4.2026.
Visits: 227 *