Women use divine authority to justify power they cannot claim as persons

Evidence

Woman invokes divine will to justify her authority absolutely in the eyes of those who are naturally subordinated to her, and to justify it in her own eyes. — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1766

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to Beauvoir’s earlier analysis of woman’s indirect power through men, and to the general existentialist theme of bad faith — claiming external justification for one’s freedom. — connects to: Only sovereignty or sanctity could lift women above their sex in medieval society. — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 219; Patriarchal marriage domesticated feminine cosmic power into lawful order — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 367; Society coopts the mother’s influence by sanctifying her as guardian of morality — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 369 (+10 more)

Broader Connections

• Because woman is Other, her power operates as magic against community transcendence. #expands (0.80) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 355
• Woman’s complicity with male sovereignty arises from her own transcendence #expands (0.78) — Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 156
• Women are praised only when they avoid power #complicates (0.72)