Human Nature - Essay Plan

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• Human Nature - the characteristics possessed by all of humankind
• Themes - Sex / Gender / Differences within Radical feminism
• Argument - Broad agreement, but on the whole they disagree

Question 2

Agree - Sex

Answer 2

Feminists accept that there are important biological distinctions between men and women, such as women give birth and have lower levels of physical strength.

Question 3

Disagree - Sex
Point

Answer 3

• When it comes to how important these sexual differences are in determining a women’s position within society
• Liberal and Socialist - sex differences should be irrelevant
• Radical - Shulamith Firestone stresses the importance of sex in the opression of women

Question 4

Disagree - Sex
Examples

Answer 4

• Socialists - Charlotte Gilman argued that because the nature of economic activity has changed so much biological difference had become irrelevant
• Radical - The idea of essentialism means they have determined the gender roles of women

Question 5

Agree - Gender
Point

Answer 5

Agreement that gender is important - this refers to cultural differences between the sexes, leading to a feeling of superiority of men and inferiority of women

Question 6

Agree - Gender
Example

Answer 6

Simone de Beauvoir developed the idea of women as the ‘Other.’ The idea that women are made and not born

Question 7

Disagree - Gender
Point

Answer 7

• Disagreement about where these cultural differences come from
• Radical and Liberal - result of the patriarchal society
• Socialist - capitalism

Question 8

Disagree - Gender
Example

Answer 8

• Socialist - capitalism keeps women oppressed so they become cheap, dispensible labour - solution is destruction or modification of capitalism
• Radical - Juliet Mitchell argues that gender exists in all aspects of life - it must be destroyed in a cultural revolution

Question 9

Agree - Within Radical Feminism

Answer 9

Radical Feminists, such as Kate Millet agree that gender differences are all pervading and deep rooted within the patriarchial society

Question 10

Disagree - Within Radical Feminism
Point

Answer 10

• The majority of radical feminists believe gender differences are as a result of society
• There are cultural feminists who deviate and argue that women are born with different cultural characteristics

Question 11

Disagree - Within Radical Feminism
Example

Answer 11

Cultural feminists accept that there are natural gender difference argue that women by nature are more caring and nurturing