ABSTRACT
French philosopher Gabrielle Suchon (1632–1703) was one of few early modern philosophers writing for and about women. This chapter examines Suchon’s writings on women’s freedom, articulating a tension for Suchon: while women have a natural right to freedom, due to present social conditions most women cannot be free. On Suchon’s account, freedom consists in knowledge, non-domination, and independence. But lack of education, women’s typical vocations as wives or nuns, and internalized sexism prevent most women from fully achieving freedom. Finally, the chapter examines Suchon’s radical proposal for a type of life that is free: the celibate or neutral life.
