The Enlightenment period, lasting from 1685-1815, was a period of radical new ideas and the revising of century-old traditional thought that defined European philosophy. Many ideas that came about during the period are still relevant and prominent significant today, such as Capitalist economics and basic human rights. The Enlightenment was also the true beginning of the feminist movement - a fight that has continued into contemporary politics. The role of women during the period is easily underestimated, as both participants and subjects of discussion in the era’s many philosophical debates. To understand the impact that female philosophes had during the time period, their place and role in 18th century society must first be understood. During
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Where previous thinkers were reclusive outcasts, Enlightenment philosophes were active members of Europe’s culture. Often gathering to debate as well as enjoy themselves in Salons, ideas were easily exchanged and spread in a mostly casual venue. Women were provided a certain amount of influence during Salon gatherings: since they were run and serviced by women, they often were able to sway discussions and exert influence on the powerful nobles and popular thinkers. This where female philosophes such as Mary Wollstonecraft were able to thrive. Through salons, the presence of women along the intellectual elite was becoming more and more common, which encouraged the debate on early feminism. But while philosophes generally tended to fight for human rights, not all believed these rights extended to women. Even some of the most liberal and influential Philosophes such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau still hung on to centuries-old arguments against women's rights, often citing the same arguments made during the Scientific Revolution. Rousseau, in particular, continued to argue that women were biologically created to serve men and raise children, and were incapable of doing anything else. These ideas were harshly challenged, not just by female philosophes, but by male feminists as well: Voltaire in particular was a strong advocate that women were just as competent as men, and were equally capable as their male
Where previous thinkers were reclusive outcasts, Enlightenment philosophes were active members of Europe’s culture. Often gathering to debate as well as enjoy themselves in Salons, ideas were easily exchanged and spread in a mostly casual venue. Women were provided a certain amount of influence during Salon gatherings: since they were run and serviced by women, they often were able to sway discussions and exert influence on the powerful nobles and popular thinkers. This where female philosophes such as Mary Wollstonecraft were able to thrive. Through salons, the presence of women along the intellectual elite was becoming more and more common, which encouraged the debate on early feminism. But while philosophes generally tended to fight for human rights, not all believed these rights extended to women. Even some of the most liberal and influential Philosophes such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau still hung on to centuries-old arguments against women's rights, often citing the same arguments made during the Scientific Revolution. Rousseau, in particular, continued to argue that women were biologically created to serve men and raise children, and were incapable of doing anything else. These ideas were harshly challenged, not just by female philosophes, but by male feminists as well: Voltaire in particular was a strong advocate that women were just as competent as men, and were equally capable as their male