The Long ConversationA timeline of world philosophy

Philosopher

Kristina Wasa

1626–1689

Also known as Christina of Sweden, Queen Christina

Queen of Sweden who brought Descartes to Stockholm, abdicated in 1654, and wrote on virtue, the equality of the sexes and the toleration of religious minorities.

Painting of a young woman with long curling hair, in a dark dress with a white collar
Oil portrait by Sébastien Bourdon. Nationalmuseum, Stockholm.Sébastien Bourdon · Public domain · See the original

Kristina was born in 1626, daughter of King Gustav II Adolf, who insisted she receive the education of a male heir, and succeeded him in 1632 after his death at Lützen. Her tutor, the irenic theologian Johannes Matthiae, helped form her views on religious toleration.

She began corresponding with Descartes in 1646 and invited him to Stockholm in 1650, where he tutored her at five in the morning and died of pneumonia within four months. In June 1654 she abdicated in favour of her cousin Charles X Gustav. She died in 1689.

Key ideas

Critic of Descartes
Kristina is usually remembered as Descartes’ pupil, but her writings take a critical stance towards him.
The equality of the sexes
Her ethical writings defend equity between the sexes and set out criteria for religious truth.
Toleration of minorities
Her political works defend the civil toleration of religious minorities, and often turn on the question that dogged her reign: the nature and proper use of authority.
Tradition
Western
Region
Sweden and Rome

Influences

Influenced by

Kristina Wasa1626–1689

Influenced by

Kristina Wasa1626–1689

Where these links come from
  • Kristina Wasa studied with and argued against René Descartes. Source: John J. Conley, Kristina Wasa, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Sources

  1. John J. Conley, Kristina Wasa, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy