How to Think Like a Woman by Regan Penaluna Summary

How to Think Like a Woman by Regan Penaluna combines memoir, biography, and feminist critique to explore the lives of four overlooked 17th- and 18th-century women philosophers—Mary Wollstonecraft, Damaris Masham, Catharine Cockburn, and Margaret Cavendish. It examines their contributions to philosophy while critiquing systemic sexism in academia and the erasure of women’s intellectual labor.

This book appeals to readers interested in feminist philosophy, women’s history, and critiques of patriarchal systems. It’s particularly relevant for those exploring gender disparities in academia or seeking alternative histories of philosophy that highlight marginalized voices.

Yes. The book is a New York Times Editors’ Choice and award-winning work praised for its sharp analysis, humor, and blend of personal narrative with historical research. It offers a fresh perspective on philosophy’s gendered biases and celebrates women’s intellectual resilience.

Penaluna focuses on Mary Wollstonecraft (known for A Vindication of the Rights of Woman), Damaris Masham (proto-feminist ethicist), Catharine Cockburn (moral philosopher), and Margaret Cavendish (natural philosopher). Their work challenges the male-dominated canon and redefines philosophical thought through a feminist lens.

The book argues that Western philosophy has systematically excluded women, perpetuating misogynistic narratives that devalue female intellect. Penaluna highlights sexist quotes from canonical male philosophers and contrasts them with the marginalized yet groundbreaking ideas of women thinkers.

Penaluna recounts her struggles in academia, including dismissive attitudes toward women philosophers, harassment, and a marriage that stifled her confidence. These experiences mirror the historical challenges faced by the women she profiles.

Notable quotes include Penaluna’s observation that “patriarchy makes it hard for a woman to think for herself” and her critique of philosophy’s “circular logic” justifying women’s exclusion. The book also resurrects marginalized ideas, like Cavendish’s holistic view of nature.

Penaluna reconstructs an “alternative history” by analyzing fragmented works of women philosophers, arguing their domestic responsibilities and societal constraints limited their output. She emphasizes how their ideas, though suppressed, laid groundwork for feminist thought.

Some may find Penaluna’s blend of memoir and scholarship uneven, while others critique the book’s narrow focus on four figures. However, its unapologetically feminist lens is widely praised for exposing philosophy’s systemic biases.

With a PhD in philosophy and a journalism career, Penaluna merges rigorous research with accessible storytelling. Her academic experiences of sexism and editorial work at Nautilus and Guernica inform the book’s depth and narrative flair.

The book underscores ongoing gender inequities in academia and intellectual spheres. By reviving marginalized voices, it invites readers to rethink philosophy’s legacy and advocate for inclusive scholarship in the 21st century.

Unlike conventional feminist texts, Penaluna intertwines biography, history, and autobiography to critique philosophy’s exclusionary practices. The book’s hybrid structure and focus on lesser-known thinkers offer a novel lens for understanding gendered intellectual labor.