Neither Freud's original theories nor modern revisions of psychoanalytic theory serve women well. Because assumptions about the inherent inferiority of women are embedded at the core of the structure of psychoanalytic theory, the theory cannot be adequately revised for women. A new theory is needed which would serve women's interests better. Certain meta-assumptions which a feminist personality theory would likely include can provide a set of criteria by which a woman-based theory of personality and personality development could be evaluated. Such a theory should: (1) have clinical usefulness; (2) encompass the diversity and complexity of women and their lives; (3) view women positively and centrally; (4) arise from women's experiences; (5) remain close to the data of experience; (6) recognize that the internal world is inextricably intertwined with the external world; (7) not confine concepts by particularistic terminology or in terms of other theories; and (8) support feminist (or at least non-sexist) modes of psychotherapy. These criteria can be used to evaluate Freudian theory, contemporary psychoanalytic theory, and the theories of many feminists. Based on these criteria, Freudian psychoanalytic theory fails to meet the prerequisites for a feminist theory of personality. The feminist viewpoints of Nancy Chodorow, Jean Baker Miller, Luise Eichenbaum, Suzy Orbach, and Miriam Greenspan can all be evaluated by these criteria. It is difficult to develop a fully formed perspective on the psychological development of women that is psychodynamically based but which does not use psychoanalytic concepts, but it can and is being done. (NB)