"The Most Belligerent Non-resistant": Lucretia Mott on Women's Rights

Political Theory 43 (5):600-630 (2015)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Lucretia Mott is widely recognized as a moral and spiritual leader in the abolitionist and early women’s rights movements. She has been characterized as a disciple of William Lloyd Garrison, a proliferator of Mary Wollstonecraft’s ideas, and a religious promoter of human rights whose efforts were surpassed by the theoretically sophisticated and politically astute Elizabeth Cady Stanton. These portrayals paradoxically elevate Mott’s status while understating the originality of her views. This analysis examines Mott’s speeches and writings in detail and finds that her unique theoretical contributions are shaped by a combination of elements: a radically anti-dogmatic worldview rooted in her progressive religious faith, an unwavering commitment to autonomy for all people, and an egalitarian conception of power. Careful study of Mott’s work reveals a compelling alternative viewpoint in the early women’s rights and abolitionist movements and provides important insight into the philosophical roots of contemporary feminism and pacifism.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 90,616

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Women's Rights and Cultural Differences.Shari Stone-Mediatore - 2004 - Studies in Practical Philosophy 4 (2):111-133.
Democracy, human rights and women's health.Jalil Safaei - 2012 - Mens Sana Monographs 10 (1):134.
War and intention.Darrell Cole - 2011 - Journal of Military Ethics 10 (3):174-191.
History, Human Rights, and Globalization.Sumner B. Twiss - 2004 - Journal of Religious Ethics 32 (1):39-70.

Analytics

Added to PP
2014-03-14

Downloads
19 (#683,238)

6 months
5 (#247,092)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Citations of this work

Add more citations

References found in this work

No references found.

Add more references