Wollstonecraft’s Essay

According to Wollstonecraft, what does man’s pre-eminence over lower animals consist in?

It consists in reason.

In Wollstonecraft's view, what acquirement raises one being above another?

virtue

For what purpose does Wollstonecraft say humans were given passions?

So that by struggling with passions, man might achieve a degree of knowledge unattainable by lower animals.

Wollstonecraft states that the perfection of our nature must be measured by the degree of reason, virtue, and _____ that distinguish the individual.

knowledge 

How does Wollstonecraft claim men generally employ their reason?

To justify prejudices they have already accepted, rather than to root them out.

What quality does Wollstonecraft say is necessary for a mind to resolutely form its own principles?

The absence of intellectual cowardice.

Why are imperfect conclusions, drawn from partial experience, often very plausible according to Wollstonecraft?

Because they are built on views that are correct as far as they go, but are narrow.

Wollstonecraft states that _____ is continually contrasted with simple principles, until truth is lost in a mist of words.

expediency

What is the result when virtue is lost in 'forms'?

It becomes merely a set of mechanical rules of conduct.

What absurd sophism, according to Wollstonecraft, daily insults common sense?

Urging prescription (tradition) as an argument to justify depriving men or women of their natural rights.

Wollstonecraft argues that the desire to dazzle by riches and the pleasure of commanding flattering yes-men have made 'liberty' into a convenient label for what?

Mock patriotism.

What has flowed from hereditary honours, riches, and monarchy, according to Wollstonecraft?

So much wretchedness that men of lively sensibility have been reduced almost to blasphemy.

Why did Rousseau, according to Wollstonecraft, fall in love with solitude and argue that man is a solitary animal?

He was impressed by the misery and disorder in society and weary from contending with 'artificial fools'.

On what false hypothesis did Rousseau construct his plausible but unsound arguments for a state of nature?

That a state of nature is preferable to the most perfect civilization.

Why does Wollstonecraft consider the assertion that a state of nature is preferable to civilization to be a charge against supreme wisdom?

Because it implies that God's creation and plan for human development were flawed.

What paradoxical exclamation, which Wollstonecraft attributes to Rousseau's thinking, does she call 'unphilosophical' and 'impious'?

That God has made all things right, and evil has been introduced by the creature whom God formed.

How does Wollstonecraft justify the existence of evil and passions from a theological perspective?

She argues that the wise Creator allowed present evil to exist because it would produce future good by helping reason to develop.

Under what condition does Wollstonecraft suggest that the gift of reason and passions might be regarded as a curse?

If our time in this world was the whole span of our existence.

Complete Wollstonecraft's contrasting claims: "Rousseau strains to prove that all was right originally; a crowd of authors argues that all is now right; and I claim that _____."

all will be right

In his praise of barbarism, what did Rousseau forget about the Romans when they conquered the world?

They didn't dream of establishing their own liberty on a firm basis or of extending the reign of virtue.

Wollstonecraft criticizes Rousseau for raising the brutal Spartans to demigod status, citing what specific act of injustice?

The cold-blooded sacrifice (murder) of the slaves (helots) who had served them well.

According to Wollstonecraft, Rousseau threw away the wheat with the chaff by not considering whether social evils were consequences of civilization or vestiges of _____.

barbarism 

Instead of blaming civilization, Wollstonecraft argues Rousseau should have traced society's 'gigantic harm' back to what two sources?

Arbitrary power and hereditary distinctions.

What inevitable outcome does Wollstonecraft say royal power introduces into a noble family line after a few generations?

idiotism 

What three factors make it impossible for a king with uncontrolled power to acquire wisdom or virtue?

The position of king itself is a bar, his feelings are stifled by flattery, and thoughtfulness is shut out by pleasure.

Wollstonecraft claims that the more _____ there is among men, the more virtue and happiness will reign in society.

equality

Those who attack human authority in the face of calamity are reviled with what two labels?

Despisers of God and enemies of man.

Wollstonecraft asserts that every profession whose power depends on large differences of rank is highly injurious to what?

morality 

Why does Wollstonecraft believe a standing army is incompatible with freedom?

Because strictness of rank and despotism are necessary for military discipline and enterprise.

How do idle, superficial young men in the army damage the morals of country towns?

Their polished manners make vice more dangerous, and simple country people imitate their vices.

Wollstonecraft describes every military body as a chain of _____ who obey and command without using their reason.

despots

A needy gentleman in the army who must rise 'by his merit' becomes either a servile parasite or a _____.

wile pander 

How does Wollstonecraft contrast the idleness of soldiers with that of sailors?

Soldiers engage in 'active idleness' (insignificant fluttering), while sailors are more 'positively indolent' when not on duty.

Why do sailors acquire a fondness for humor and mischievous tricks, while soldiers adopt a 'sensitive' way of speaking?

Sailors are more confined to the society of men, while soldiers are often in the company of well-bred women.

In the clergy, what serves as a training for the curate who must respect the opinion of his rector or patron?

The blind submission to forms of belief that is imposed at college.

Wollstonecraft observes a striking contrast between the servile, dependent manner of a poor curate and the top-of-the-world manner of a _____.

bishop

While a person with a good mind may only superficially reflect their profession, weak and common people have hardly any character except what?

What belongs to their profession.

What does Wollstonecraft identify as the first form of government in society's infancy?

Aristocracy.

According to Wollstonecraft's historical model, what form of government emerges after the clashing interests of aristocracy create confusion?

A monarchy and hierarchy.

As society expands through wars, commerce, and literature, despots are forced to use what to keep the power they initially snatched by force?

Hidden corruption.

What two things does Wollstonecraft call the 'sure dregs of ambition' that most quickly spread the 'lurking gangrene' of corruption?

Luxury and superstition.

Wollstonecraft metaphorically describes 'the plague-carrying _____' as what makes the progress of civilization a curse.

purple of royalty

Instead of taking a 'ferocious flight back to the night of sensual ignorance,' what does Wollstonecraft say Rousseau's mind should have contemplated?

The perfection of man in the establishment of true civilization.