This article from the British Journal for the History of Philosophy compares the writings of 17th-century philosophers Poulain de la Barre and Simone de Beauvoir, focusing on their analyses of women's subjugation. Both authors viewed women's oppression as a complex process involving both force and the internalization of prejudice. The article examines how societal structures and ingrained biases contribute to the objectification of women, exploring the role of self-perception in perpetuating this oppression. It further investigates the metaphysical relationship between freedom and materiality in both thinkers' works, ultimately concluding that despite differences in their approaches, both authors shared an optimistic view of the possibility of mutual recognition and liberation. The analysis draws upon Honneth's recognition theory and explores the importance of friendship and mutual esteem in achieving equality.
