The Wives of Western Philosophy : Gender Politics in Intellectual Labor

__The Wives of Western Philosophy__ examines the lives and experiences of the wives and women associated with nine distinct political thinkers—from Socrates to Marx—in order to explore the gendered patterns of intellectual labor that permeate the foundations of Western political thought. Organized chronologically and representative of three eras in the history of political thought (Ancient, Early Modern, and Modern), nine critical biographical chapters explore the everyday acts of intellectual labor and partnership involving these "wives of the canon." Taking seriously their narratives as intimate partners reveals that wives have labored in remarkable ways throughout the history of political thought. In some cases, their labors mark the conceptual boundaries of political life; in others, they serve as uncredited resources for the production of political ideas. In all instances, however, these wives and intimates are pushed to the margins of the history of political thought. __The Wives of Western Philosophy__ brings these women to the center of scholarly interest. In so doing, it provides new insights into the intellectual biographies of some of the most famed men in political theory while also raising important questions about the gendered politics of intellectual labor which shape our receptions of canonical texts and thinkers, and which sustain the academy even today. This book examines the lives and experiences of the wives and women associated with nine distinct political thinkers—from Socrates to Marx—in order to explore the gendered patterns of intellectual labor that permeate the foundations of Western political thought. Cover 1 Half Title 4 Title Page 6 Copyright Page 7 Table of Contents 8 List of Contributors 10 Acknowledgments 12 1 Married to the Canon: Writing the History of Western Philosophy 14 2 Xanthippe: Shrew or Muse 32 3 Self-Sacrifice as Wifely Virtue in Aristotle’s Political Theory 49 4 Authoring Machiavelli: Barbera Salutati, La Mandragola, and the Performance of Political Theory 69 5 Educating Gentlewomen: The Women of Locke’s Circle and their Influence on Some Thoughts Concerning Education 86 6 Jeanne de Lartigue, Madame de Montesquieu: Calvinist Refugee and Wife of an Enlightenment Philosopher 101 7 Thérèse Levasseur’s Improvised Life with Rousseau 120 8 The Hidden Labors of Mary Mottley, Madame de Tocqueville 140 9 The “Beloved and Deplored” Memory of Harriet Taylor Mill: Rethinking Gender and Intellectual Labor in the Canon 160 10 “Mere Auxiliaries to the Movement”: How Intellectual Biography Obscures Marx’s and Engels’s Gendered Political Partnerships 180 11 The Future of Intellectual Labor 198 Index 210 Xanthippe;,Self-Sacrifice;,Authoring,Machiavelli;,Educating,Gentlewomen;,Intellectual,Labor Xanthippe,Self-Sacrifice,Authoring Machiavelli,Educating Gentlewomen,Intellectual Labor "The Wives of Western Philosophy examines the lives and experiences of the wives and women associated with nine distinct political thinkers-from Socrates to Marx-in order to explore the gendered patterns of intellectual labor that permeate the foundations of western political thought. Organized chronologically and representative of three eras in the history of political thought (Ancient, Early Modern and Modern), nine critical biographical chapters explore the everyday acts of intellectual labor and partnership involving these 'wives of the canon.' Taking seriously their narratives as intimate partners reveals that wives have labored in remarkable ways throughout the history of political thought. In some cases, their labors mark the conceptual boundaries of political life; in others, they serve as uncredited resources for the production of political ideas. In all instances, however, these wives and intimates are pushed to the margins of the history of political thought. The Wives of Western Philosophy brings these women to the center of scholarly interest. In so doing, it provides new insights into the intellectual biographies of some of the most famed men in political theory while also raising important questions about the gendered politics of intellectual labor which shapes our receptions of canonical texts and thinkers, and which sustain the academy even today"--Publisher's description "The Wives of Western Philosophy examines the lives and experiences of the wives and women associated with nine distinct political thinkers-from Socrates to Marx-in order to explore the gendered patterns of intellectual labor that permeate the foundations of western political thought. Organized chronologically and representative of three eras in the history of political thought (Ancient, Early Modern and Modern), nine critical biographical chapters explore the everyday acts of intellectual labor and partnership involving these 'wives of the canon.' Taking seriously their narratives as intimate partners reveals that wives have labored in remarkable ways throughout the history of political thought. In some cases, their labors mark the conceptual boundaries of political life; in others, they serve as uncredited resources for the production of political ideas. In all instances, however, these wives and intimates are pushed to the margins of the history of political thought. The Wives of Western Philosophy brings these women to the center of scholarly interest. In so doing, it provides new insights into the intellectual biographies of some of the most famed men in political theory while also raising important questions about the gendered politics of intellectual labor which shapes our receptions of canonical texts and thinkers, and which sustain the academy even today"-- Provided by publisher Married to the canon : writing the history of western philosophy / Jennifer Forestal & Menaka Philips -- Xanthippe : shrew or muse / Arlene Saxonhouse -- Self-sacrifice as wifely virtue in Aristotle's political theory / Sara Brill -- Authoring Machiavelli : Barbera Salutati la Mandragola and the performance of political theory / Boris Litvin -- Educating gentlewomen : the women of Locke's circle and their influence on Some thoughts concerning education / Emily C. Nacol -- Jeanne de Lartigue, Madame de Montesquieu : Calvinist refugee and wife of an Enlightenment philosopher / Bryan A. Banks -- Thérèse Levasseur's improvised life with Rousseau / Jennifer M. Jones -- The hidden labors of Mary Mottley, Madame de Tocqueville / Ross Carroll -- The "beloved and deplored" memory of Harriet Taylor Mill : rethinking gender and intellectual labor in the canon / Menaka Philips -- "Mere auxiliaries to the movement" : how intellectual biography obscures Marx's and Engels's gendered political partnerships / Terrell Carver -- The future of intellectual labor / Jennifer Forestal & Menaka Philips