The Philosopher’s Zone – Women philosophers in 19th century Germany

Intro

In this episode of “The Philosopher’s Zone,” we explore the contributions of women philosophers in 19th century Germany. Despite facing numerous obstacles, these women actively participated in philosophical traditions and movements, transforming them in new and exciting directions. We delve into their experiences, challenges, and the impact they had on the philosophical landscape of the time.

Main Takeaways

Women’s Involvement in Philosophy

• Women in 19th century Germany were actively involved in various philosophical traditions and movements.
• They took up basic premises and transformed them in new and exciting directions.
• Despite the obstacles they faced, women in Germany had a strong interest in philosophy, reading, writing, responding to, and bringing philosophy to everyday life.

Challenges and Barriers

• Women philosophers in Germany faced significant challenges in publishing their works due to opposition from male philosophers like Kant, Fichte, and Hegel.
• Germany did not officially open its universities to women until the 20th century, barring them from higher education throughout the 19th century.
• Women had to find alternative ways to publish their works, such as writing in non-standard modes like novels, poems, or plays, and publishing in specific journals.

Inspiration from French and English Women Writers

• Women in Germany were inspired by French and English women writers advocating for women’s rights and started writing similar essays.
• French women were writing and participating in philosophy in ways that they had not been in Germany in the 18th century.
• After the French Revolution, a more conservative attitude towards women emerged in Germany, making it harder for them to become public figures and gain access to publishing.

Philosophical Movements and Alliances

• Germany had a thriving philosophical culture emerging in the 19th century, both within and outside of universities.
• Women philosophers of the 19th century in Germany did not fall neatly into one philosophical tradition or set of traditions, and there were paradoxical alliances among them.
• The 19th century is typically divided into movements like German idealism, socialism, and existentialism, and women who participated in German idealism also became socialists.

Exploring Women Philosophers

• Hedwig Dom, a critic of Nietzsche, is one of the women philosophers explored in the book “Women Philosophers in the Long 19th Century, the German Tradition.”
• Dom’s essay “Nietzsche and Women” holds Nietzsche accountable for his misogynistic ideas while also critiquing them using his own philosophy.
• Women philosophers like Hedwig Dohm prefigured a lot of 20th century feminist thought and challenged essentialist positions on existentialist grounds.

Summary

Women Philosophers in 19th Century Germany: Overcoming Obstacles and Transforming Philosophy

The 19th century in Europe witnessed influential contributions to philosophy, despite the obstacles faced by women philosophers in Germany. Women actively participated in various philosophical traditions and movements, taking up basic premises and transforming them in new and exciting directions. Germany became a lively philosophical culture, with women showing a strong interest in philosophy, reading, writing, and bringing philosophy to everyday life.

However, women philosophers in Germany faced significant challenges in publishing their works due to opposition from male philosophers like Kant, Fichte, and Hegel. Officially barred from higher education until the 20th century, women had to find alternative ways to publish their works, such as writing in non-standard modes and publishing in specific journals. Despite these barriers, women found inspiration from French and English women writers advocating for women’s rights and started writing similar essays.

Women philosophers of the 19th century in Germany did not neatly fit into one philosophical tradition or set of traditions. Paradoxical alliances emerged among them, and they actively participated in movements like German idealism and socialism. Hedwig Dom, a critic of Nietzsche, is one of the notable women philosophers explored in the book “Women Philosophers in the Long 19th Century, the German Tradition.” Her essay “Nietzsche and Women” holds Nietzsche accountable for his misogynistic ideas while also using his own philosophy to critique them.

Overall, women philosophers in 19th century Germany made significant contributions to philosophy, overcoming obstacles and transforming the philosophical landscape of the time.

Conclusion

The women philosophers of 19th century Germany defied societal barriers and made remarkable contributions to philosophy. Despite facing opposition and being barred from higher education, they actively participated in philosophical traditions, transformed them, and brought philosophy to everyday life. Their works continue to inspire and challenge philosophical thought, leaving a lasting impact on the field of philosophy.