How to think like a woman …
From a bold new voice in nonfiction, an exhilarating account of the lives and works of influential 17th and 18th century feminist philosophers Mary Wollstonecraft and her predecessors who have been written out of history, and a searing look at the author’s experience of patriarchy and sexism in academia
As a young woman growing up in small-town Iowa, Regan Penaluna daydreamed about the big questions: Who are we and what is this strange world we find ourselves in? In college she fell in love with philosophy and chose to pursue it as an academician, the first step, she believed, to becoming a self-determined person living a life of the mind. What Penaluna didn’t realize was that the Western philosophical canon taught in American universities, as well as the culture surrounding it, would slowly grind her down through its misogyny, its harassment, its devaluation of women and their intellect. Where were the women philosophers?
One day, in an obscure monograph, Penaluna came across Damaris Cudworth Masham’s name. The daughter of philosopher Ralph Cudworth and a contemporary of John Locke, Masham wrote about knowledge and God, and the condition of women. Masham’s work led Penaluna to other remarkable women philosophers of the era: Mary Astell, who moved to London at age twenty-one and made a living writing philosophy; Catharine Cockburn, a philosopher, novelist, and playwright; and the better-known Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote extensively in defense of women’s minds. Together, these women rekindled Penaluna’s love of philosophy and awakened her feminist consciousness.
In How to Think Like a Woman, Regan Penaluna blends memoir, biography, and criticism to tell the stories of these four women, weaving throughout an alternative history of philosophy as well as her own search for love and truth. Funny, honest, and wickedly intelligent, this is a moving meditation on what philosophy could look like if women were treated equally.
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How to Think Like a Woman
1. Take time to understand your emotions. Women are known for their ability to process emotions in a deeper way than men do. Take time to identify and process your own emotions and understand why you are feeling a certain way.
2. Consider how your actions affect others. Women tend to be more empathetic and thoughtful of the feelings of others. When making decisions, try to consider how your actions will affect those around you.
3. Prioritize relationships. Women tend to prioritize relationships and value the bonds they have with others. Making sure to nurture and maintain relationships with friends, family, and partners is important to think like a woman.
4. Practice self-care. Women are often more likely to practice self-care, such as taking time for themselves and practicing healthy habits. Make sure to prioritize your own health and wellbeing.
5. Listen. Women are often seen as better listeners than men. Make sure to take the time to really listen to what other people are saying, without interrupting or trying to dominate the conversation.
