The Suspicion of Virtue
Subtitle: Women Philosophers in Neoclassical France
Edition: Bilingual edition
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 2002
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9780801440205
Subjects: Ethics & Moral Philosophy; Literary studies: general; Women's studies; c 1700 to c 1800; Women Authors; France; French; Philosophy; Women philosophers; General; European - French; Biography
Description: "The salon was of particular importance in mid- to late-seventeenth-century France, enabling aristocratic women to develop a philosophical culture that simultaneously reflected and opposed the dominant male philosophy. In The Suspicion of Virtue, John J. Conley, S.J., explores the moral philosophies developed by five women authors of that milieu: Madame de Sable, Madame Deshoulieres, Madame de la Sabliere, Mlle de la Valliere, and Madame de Maintenon.".

"Through biography, extensive translation, commentary, and critical analysis, The Suspicion of Virtue presents the work of women who participated in the philosophical debates of the early modern period but who have been largely erased from the standard history of philosophy. Conley examines the various literary genres (maxim, ode, dialogue) in which these authors presented their moral theory.

He also unveils the philosophical complexity of the arguments presented by these women and of the salon culture that nurtured their preoccupations. Their pointed critiques of virtue as a mask of vice, Conley asserts, are relevant to the revival of virtue theory by contemporary ethicians."--BOOK JACKET.