Final answer:
Defoe's main argument concerning the education of women revolves around the necessity for equal educational opportunities to men, a view shared by historical feminists and advocated by feminist theory for achieving social and political equity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defoe's main argument concerning the education of women is that they should have equal educational opportunities as men. This stance on educational equality is echoed by various historical feminists and writers. For instance, Judith Sargent Murray in the 1780s began publishing ideas about educational equality, arguing that women and men are intellectually equal, thus meriting the same educational opportunities. Similarly, Catharine Beecher advocated for women's roles as educators and their critical role in restoring the moral compass in society. Key points from authors such as Virginia Woolf extend the argument, noting that societal circumstances historically have not provided women with the requisite time, education, funding, or space for intellectual or artistic pursuits. Furthermore, feminist theory itself reinforces the necessity of equal education for women to enable them to achieve equal rights and financial independence.
In summary, across historical texts and feminist theory, the consistent argument is made that women are inherently capable and deserve the same educational access as men, which would lead to broader social and political equity.