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Series:   Elements in Ancient Philosophy

Aristotle on Women

Physiology, Psychology, and Politics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2021

Sophia M. Connell
Sophia M. Connell
Affiliation:
Birkbeck College, University of London

Summary

This Element provides an account of Aristotle on women which combines what is found in his scientific biology with his practical philosophy. Scholars have often debated how these two fields are related. The current study shows that according to Aristotelian biology, women are set up for intelligence and tend to be milder-tempered than men. Thus, women are not curtailed either intellectually or morally by their biology. The biological basis for the rule of men over women is women's lack of spiritedness. Aristotle's Politics must be read with its audience in mind; there is a need to convince men of the importance of avoiding insurrection both in the city and the household. While their spiritedness gives men the upper hand, they are encouraged to listen to the views of free women in order to achieve the best life for all.
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Keywords

Aristotlewomenspiritmothersvirtue
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Ancient Philosophy
Online ISBN: 9781108581950
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 12 August 2021

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Aristotle on Women
  • Sophia M. Connell, Birkbeck College, University of London
  • Online ISBN: 9781108581950
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Aristotle on Women
  • Sophia M. Connell, Birkbeck College, University of London
  • Online ISBN: 9781108581950
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Aristotle on Women
  • Sophia M. Connell, Birkbeck College, University of London
  • Online ISBN: 9781108581950
Available formats
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