Mary Astell (1666-1731)

This chapter investigates two key interpretations of Mary Astell’s philosophical views concerning women’s education, one feminist, the other religious. Some scholars claim that the feminist reading is misguided because the true purpose of Astell’s writings is not to promote female autonomy or independence of judgment, but rather to facilitate the indoctrination of women into the Anglican religion. In response, it is argued that Astell intended for women’s education to serve recognizably feminist ends and not purely conservative religious goals. To support this argument, the chapter investigates evidence that Astell was critical of Anglican ideas that prevented women from attaining intellectual independence.