Virginia Aspe's erudite Approaches to the Theory of Freedom offers a new interpretation of "Primero Suen~o", written by the nun Sor Juana Ine´s de la Cruz –probably the highest Spanish-written poem–. Aspe considers the philosophical and theological influences regarding Sor Juana's development of her concept and ideal of freedom. With vast erudition, Aspe helps advance the field of Sor Juana studies beyond what Paz was able to accomplish. She emphasises the influence of the Jesuit theology of the University of Coimbra. New perspectives and references available to the Spanish speaking world, such as the recent translation of several previously unknown Latin texts from Sor Juana's Mexican contemporaries, provide insights that help Aspe take our understanding of the poem further and cast new lights on her idea of freedom, as well as her background and references. Approaches to the Theory of Freedom help us become familiar with the way this magnificent poem. That is why this book means a significant contribution to our understanding of Sor Juana's thought and the poetry of Sor Juana's period. Virginia Aspe is a Professor and Researcher at the Faculty of Philosophy at the Panamericana University (Universidad Panamericana, Mexico), where she holds the Lecture of Mexican Philosophy Chair since 1998. Columbia University and the National University of Cuyo invited her, recently, as keynote speaker to the conferences "A Quest for Freedom in Colonial Times: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz on Liberty" and "The Philosophy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: Five Philosophical Sailings and the First Dream Proposal Heterodoxa". She has taught courses at several universities of México and America and written several books and scientific articles.
