The role of women in Greek Philosophy Flashcards
Aristotle’s view on women
“Again, the male is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled”
Components of the soul, reason prevailing in males, while emotion in females, makes them susceptible to someone imposing their will.
Aristotle argues, that women should obey men, and only be a part of the domestic sphere. Women and slaves should do the duty of the house, so men could be a part of politics and fulfil their telos.
Plato’s view on women
According to Plato women are physically inferior and are generally weaker than men.
But in contrast with Aristotle, Plato argued that women could become more equal to men if they were given the proper training. Aristotle belive that they were only a part of the domestic sphere, that they couldn’t be philosophers.
The forgotten female philosophers
Fx
Aspasia had a great influence on Socrates and Pericles, through conversation.
Diotima had a lot of influence on Socrates and extended the mathematic thoughts of Pythagoras.
And so on.
Why is it difficult to learn about greek women
Lack of sources
Biased information
Ideas on women in ancient greece
Household-family
They were less than men and had imperfect reason
Reproduction - excluded from the logos - goverment
Women and education
They were allowed in school, but they have certain restrictions, because of their sex and economic position.
representations of women in arts
Roles: Wives, daughters, slaves, hetaera (prostitutes).
Funerals
War: As a women titan
Oikos: motherhood
Religion
Traditional and progressive view on women in acient greece
Traditional view: Aristotle and Xenophone
- Women: Physically inferior, protective of resources, fearful, compassionate, emotive.
- Role: Children and family
- Natural order
Progressive view: Socrates and Plato
- Same nature (state) // But women could become more equal to men.
- Equal education
What is the assumption of reason and emotion and what are the consequences of this?
We should be aware of ideas of women being lees smart and emotional is really old ideas, which have been a normal idea for centuries.
Therfore it can be really hard to change this ideas for one day to the other, because they are so ruted in our understanding without being true.
But because we have been told this in generations, its hard to change that idea.
The consequence is that women are seen as more soft then men, lees rational and most appropiate to care about people.
