IMC 2025: Sessions
Session 525: Medieval Female Mystics as Philosophers, I: Medieval Female Philosophers - Authorities and Teachers
Tuesday 8 July 2025, 09:00-10:30
| Sponsor: | Mystical Theology Network |
|---|---|
| Organiser: | John Arblaster, Ruusbroecgenootschap, Universiteit Antwerpen |
| Moderator/Chair: | John Arblaster, Ruusbroecgenootschap, Universiteit Antwerpen |
| Paper 525-a | Mystical Voices and Epistemic Justice: Female Mystics in the Medieval Islamic World (Language: English) Index terms: Philosophy; Islamic and Arabic Studies; Women's Studies |
| Paper 525-b | Hadewijch Magistra: Hadewijch's First Letter as a Hermeneutical Key to Her Doctrine (Language: English) Index terms: Philosophy; Theology; Language and Literature - Dutch |
| Paper 525-c | Divine Paideia?: Medieval Female Mystics' Return to the Roots of Philosophy (Language: English) Index terms: Philosophy; Women's Studies |
| Abstract | This session addresses questions around how female mystics established, developed and defended their epistemic authority. The first paper explores the profound contributions of female Muslim mystics to the advancement of epistemic justice in the medieval Islamic world. By examining how these mystics navigated, challenged, and transcended patriarchal structures, the study highlights their critical role in asserting both intellectual and spiritual authority. The second paper turns to the 13th-century Brabantian mystic Hadewijch and offers a close reading of her First Letter as the key to her entire oeuvre. The paper argues that Hadewijch establishes her epistemic authority as "Magistra" based on her reading of St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. The third paper focuses on the didactic intent of the works of medieval female philosophers. As opposed to the theoretical discussions of many of their male counterparts, they are meant to be useful for both the daily life and future salvation of their audience – the attainment of which represents the purpose of every medieval Christian. Their respective philosophies, although they can be described as contemplative, are also extremely practical – perhaps paradoxically so, particularly when they advocate for the attainment of such states as the annihilation of the soul. |