Enlightening Women: Pedagogy and Philosophy in Late 18th-Century Germany

Corey W. Dyck

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Chapter 5 Enlightening Women: Pedagogy and Philosophy in Late 18th-Century Germany

In: Shaping Women Philosophers

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Corey W. Dyck

Corey W. Dyck
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 111–139

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004703155_006

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Abstract

Pedagogical texts represent an important but overlooked source for discerning and appreciating the philosophical views of women in the early modern period. In this chapter, I consider two representative cases taken from the vibrant Hamburg intellectual scene in the late 18th-century, namely, Elise Reimarus (1735–1805) and Amalia Holst (1758–1829). In the first section, I begin with a general overview of the interplay between philosophy and pedagogy throughout 18th century Germany, with particular focus on Johann Bernhard Basedow (1724–1790). In the second section, I consider the pedagogical writings of Reimarus and show how through her pedagogical texts she advances a moderate enlightened agenda concerning a variety of philosophical topics, including God’s nature and attributes, the soul and its immortality, the nature of moral obligation, as well as woman’s vocation and the need for education. In the third section, I turn to Holst and contend that in her pedagogical texts she stakes out rather more radical positions on the same issues. In the end, I show that both Reimarus and Holst are excellent examples of how pedagogical texts became a means for women to engage with some of the most important and controversial philosophical discussions of their time.

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Shaping Women Philosophers

Studies on the Archaeology of the Female Intellectual Identity in Early Modern Europe

Series: Brill's Studies in Intellectual History, Volume: 363

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004703155

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 09 Oct 2025

Subjects
- History
  - Early Modern History
  - Intellectual History
- Philosophy
  - Early Modern Philosophy
  - Anthropology

Front Matter

Introduction

Part 1 Who Gets to Be a Philosopher? Women on the Margins of Philosophy

Part 2 Empowering Women’s Thought: the Intersection of Religion and Stoicism

Part 3 Defying Convention: Re-negotiating Women’s Role in the Intellectual World

Part 4 The Power of (Non-)Reception: Consolidating Gendered Identities

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Chapter 5 Enlightening Women: Pedagogy and Philosophy in Late 18th-Century Germany

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Citation Info

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Shaping Women Philosophers

Studies on the Archaeology of the Female Intellectual Identity in Early Modern Europe

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