# Poullain and Equality **URL:** **By** Paul Meany **Published:** March 26, 2020 --- François Poullain de la Barre was a philosopher who was completely ahead of any of his contemporaries on the topic of gender equality. Despite his obscurity, François Poullain de la Barre is a philosopher who thought beyond the constraints of his time. In 17th-century France Poullain articulated a case for gender equality. His proposal was so radical few took it seriously at the time. Poullain is still relevant today for his analysis of how oppression is "justified" and how to unlearn prejudices. ## Related Content: [Poullain Believed in Gender Equality in the 17th Century](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/both-judges-litigants-francois-poullains-early-modern-argument-gender-equality), written by Paul Meany [Aristotle and Libertarianism](https://www.libertarianism.org/blog/aristotle-libertarianism), written by Aaron Ross Powell [Rationalism and Hayek in Conflict: Feminist Practice](https://www.libertarianism.org/columns/rationalism-hayek-conflict-feminist-practice), written by Grant Babcock