“Context” and “Fortuna” in the History of Women Philosophers: A Diachronic Perspective

This paper explores the idea of philosophical fortuna (fortune) in relation to the study of women philosophers of the past. Tracing a philosopher’s fortuna involves examining the reception of her philosophy across time in the context of changing philosophical debates, and the reworking of philosophical ideas in new and different circumstances. I argue that focusing on philosophical fortunae offers a means to reassess the realities of exclusion and marginalization of women philosophers, and to strengthen their claims to be admitted as full members of the community of philosophers. I conclude with a consideration of Mary Hays’s Female Biographies to this process.