Explores women's responses to Cartesian philosophy and its intellectual legacy in England and Europe.This book is the first philosophical overview of the contribution of women to philosophy in seventeenth-century England. Jacqueline Broad explores the philosophical writings of figures including Margaret Cavendish, Anne Conway, Mary Astell and Catherine Trotter Cockburn, and vigorously demonstrates their relevance not only to the philosophy of the time but also to current feminist concerns. Her book is a fascinating and accessible study of thinkers whose importance to the history of philosophy is increasingly being recognized.This book is the first philosophical overview of the contribution of women to philosophy in seventeenth-century England. Jacqueline Broad explores the philosophical writings of figures including Margaret Cavendish, Anne Conway, Mary Astell and Catherine Trotter Cockburn, and vigorously demonstrates their relevance not only to the philosophy of the time but also to current feminist concerns. Her book is a fascinating and accessible study of thinkers whose importance to the history of philosophy is increasingly being recognized.Jacqueline Broad explores the writings of such women philosophers as Margaret Cavendish, Anne Conway, Mary Astell and Catherine Trotter Cockburn. Broad demonstrates their relevance to current feminist scholarship. Her book is an accessible study of thinkers whose importance to the history of philosophy is increasingly recognized.Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Elisabeth of Bohemia; 2. Margaret Cavendish; 3. Anne Conway; 4. Mary Astell; 5. Damaris Masham; 6. Catherine Trotter Cockburn; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.