PHIL FINAL

What historical conditions shaped Wollstonecraft’s political philosophy?

lived in Britain when women were denied civil, political, educational, and professional rights and excluded from public life

Why did Wollstonecraft educate herself instead of receiving formal education?

Her family invested educational resources in her brother, and women were barred from professions and higher education

Why was Wollstonecraft dismissed as immoral by society?

held radical views, helped her sister escape her husband and hide from him, and had a child out of wedlock

What occupations did Wollstonecraft hold before writing?

She worked as a lady companion and later as a governess

How does Wollstonecraft define feminism?

Feminism is the belief in gender equality and the advancement of women’s welfare, equality, and freedom historically denied to women

How does Wollstonecraft understand marriage?

Marriage is a property relation in which the state intervenes to regulate shared property

What does Wollstonecraft believe is wrong with women’s upbringing?

Girls are raised to value superficial traits like beauty and securing a husband rather than cultivating reason

How does women’s upbringing affect society according to Wollstonecraft?

It produces superficial wives, disappointed husbands, poorly educated children, and societal decline

Why did Wollstonecraft write A Vindication of the Rights of Men?

To respond directly to Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France

What is Wollstonecraft’s position on tradition as political authority?

Institutions are not beyond reason and must be evaluated rationally rather than obeyed because they are inherited

How does Wollstonecraft critique Burke’s defense of tradition?

Burke uses tradition to preserve the status quo and excuse inequality

What does Wollstonecraft believe causes poverty and injustice?

Poverty and injustice are caused by people and corrupt institutions

How does Wollstonecraft relate to Rousseau’s political theory?

She agrees institutions corrupt people but criticizes Rousseau for excluding women

What does Wollstonecraft mean by “rights entail duties and duties imply rights”?

No one should perform duties without rights, and no one should claim rights without duties to respect others

How does Wollstonecraft describe inequality between classes and genders?

Upper classes and men have many rights and few duties, while lower classes and women have many duties and few rights

What is Wollstonecraft’s critique of family life?

Women raised without reason become poor mothers, companions, and citizens, harming society

What solution does Wollstonecraft propose for marriage relations?

It is a property relation. The reason we sign a marriage contract is because two people are sharing their property together and the state gets involved to see what to do with the property.

What is the core claim of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman?

Discrimination against women harms all of society, not only women

What specific rights does Wollstonecraft demand for women?

Civil rights, political rights, and educational rights

Why does Wollstonecraft emphasize midwifery?

Women historically dominated midwifery but were excluded when medicine became professionalized by men

Why is education essential for women according to Wollstonecraft?

• it will make women better wives, companions, mothers, and citizens. 

  • It will make them fully human: ruled by reason and characterized by self command. 

  • It gets them the skills needed to support themselves and children in widowhood.

How does education give women economic security?

It allows women to support themselves and their children, especially in widowhood

What role should women play in politics according to Wollstonecraft?

Women should take interest in politics and the concerns of humanity

How does Wollstonecraft define political inequality?

The exclusion of women from rights, education, and public life

Is political inequality natural according to Wollstonecraft?

No, it is manufactured by institutions

Why does political inequality harm society according to Wollstonecraft?

It destroys reason, virtue, and good citizenship

Does tradition justify political inequality for Wollstonecraft?

No, reason must evaluate existing structures

What form of government does Wollstonecraft support?

A representative democracy including both genders

How does Wollstonecraft adapt Locke’s natural rights theory?

Natural rights must include women’s civil, political, and educational rights

Why is demanding duties from women without rights illegitimate?

It denies women rational agency and equality

What representation system does Wollstonecraft propose for women?

Women elect women representatives

What defines a good government according to Wollstonecraft?

Equal education, full female citizenship, financial independence, access to professions, and rule by reason

When is a government illegitimate according to Wollstonecraft?

When it denies women rights, rational development, or political participation

How does Wollstonecraft explain economic inequality?

Economic inequality is caused by corrupt institutions

How does gender intersect with economic inequality for Wollstonecraft?

Women’s exclusion from professions creates financial dependence

What is Wollstonecraft’s view on the division of labor?

The division of labor should be kept to a minimum

What does Mill mean by the tyranny of the majority?

The majority can oppress minorities and suppress individuality

How does the majority exercise tyranny according to Mill?

By imposing moral beliefs and silencing dissenting opinions

What is the harm principle according to Mill?

The state may restrict liberty only to prevent harm to others

What actions are protected under Mill’s harm principle?

Actions affecting only one’s body, beliefs, and lifestyle

How does Mill define harm?

Harm is physical harm, not offense or psychological discomfort

Why does Mill oppose paternalistic laws?

They treat adults as children and deny autonomy

What are the limits of the harm principle according to Mill?

It does not apply to children or “barbarians”

Why does Mill defend freedom of speech?

Silencing opinions risks suppressing truth or turning beliefs into dogma

What types of speech does Mill exclude from protection?

Slander, libel, harassment, coercion, blackmail, conspiracy, and incitement to violence

Why does Mill support representative democracy?

It gathers information from different parts of society and allows participation

Why does Mill oppose monarchy?

Monarchy produces passive, obedient citizens

Why does Mill reject the benevolent dictator argument?

Even benevolent monarchy requires submission and suppresses individual development

What should a good government do according to Mill?

Improve people by fostering autonomy and individuality

Why does Mill oppose property requirements for voting?

They exclude the poor and distort representation

What is Mill’s position on women’s rights?

Women must have legal and political equality

What historical process shaped Marx’s critique of capitalism?

The industrial revolution and enclosure movement

Who are the bourgeoisie according to Marx?

Owners of the means of production

Who are the proletariat according to Marx?

Workers who own only their labor

How does capitalism create political inequality according to Marx?

Economic power becomes political power

What is alienation according to Marx?

Loss of control over labor, products, and one’s life

Why is exploitation unavoidable in capitalism according to Marx?

Profit requires paying wages below the value workers produce

Why must capitalism expand globally according to Marx?

It requires constant expansion of markets

Why does Marx believe capitalism will collapse?

The proletariat expands while the middle class shrinks

What system do Marx and Engels advocate?

Communism with collective ownership of production

What policies define good government for Marx and Engels?

Abolition of private property, progressive taxation, centralized production, and elimination of inheritance

Why do Marx and Engels oppose inheritance?

It perpetuates class domination across generations

When is government illegitimate according to Marx and Engels?

When it allows capitalism, exploitation, and alienation