Why Read Wollstonecraft Today?

What relevance does Mary Wollstonecraft's thought have today? In this insightful book, Sandrine Bergès engages Wollstonecraft with contemporary social and political issues, demonstrating how this pioneering eighteenth-century feminist philosopher addressed concerns that resonate strongly with those faced by twenty-first-century feminists. Wollstonecraft's views on oppression, domination, gender, slavery, social equality, political economics, health, and education underscore her commitment to defending the rights of all who are oppressed. Her ideas shed light on challenges we face in social and political philosophy, including intersectionality, health inequalities, universal basic income, and masculinity. Clear and accessible, this book is an invaluable resource for students and anyone interested in discovering who Mary Wollstonecraft was and how her ideas can help us navigate the struggles of today's feminist movement.

• Asks how Wollstonecraft could help us deal with contemporary issues such as intersectionality, white feminism, and gender identity
• Uses a great variety of texts from Wollstonecraft – her novels, travel writings and posthumous works as well as her two Vindications – and contemporary examples from Stephen King's Carrie to Virginie Despentes' Cher Connard
• Encourages readers to see the arguments more clearly by contrasting earlier and later attempts at dealing with the same problems