Forgotten Women in Philosophy: From Aspasia to Arendt

This article examines the historical sidelining of women in philosophy, spanning from ancient Greece to the 20th century, and critiques the male-centric tradition. It references Aristotle's belief in the inferiority of women, which was later enshrined in Roman law. Notable exceptions to this trend include Aspasia of Miletus, Diotima, Hypatia, and Plotina, who were associated with the Epicurean school. In more recent history, Elisabeth of the Palatinate engaged in correspondence with Descartes, while Mary Astell challenged the institution of marriage and championed women's education. The contributions of Simone Weil and Simone de Beauvoir go beyond feminism, with Weil connecting Greek epic violence to human suffering and de Beauvoir exploring aging in consumer culture. Hannah Arendt's research on Nazism underscores the significant yet often overlooked roles women have played in intellectual history.