Lecture 3: Aristotle

Question 1

Aristotle

Answer 1

• wasn’t looking for the best kind of government but wanted to explain the reality as it was (things are good as they are)
• ## conception of women has been important and influential but damaged women in many ways because of his role in philosophy

Question 2

ideas Aristotle

Answer 2

• rationalised and justified
• things are as they are because everything in this world has a reason to exist with survival being the proof of functioning in the right way
• each living creature is functional to someone / something else
• the universe is hierarchical: the lowest exist in function for the highest > human beings highest but among them there is a hierarchy as well as it is natural
• the Greek city is the best form of political association (4th century): the Greek family with the hierarchy within itself is the best form of structure > most natural structure is family even though it represents inequality (subjection of women, children, slaves)
• anthropocentric view
• ultimate goal, highest human virtues: reason and self-sufficiency (fundamental to reaching happiness and living a good life)

Question 3

Aristotle
elements good life

Answer 3

• richness
• many and good children
• leisure (in order to exercise philosophy)
• beauty

> > women are instrumental for a few men to reach a good life

Question 4

Aristotle
view on women

Answer 4

• slaves and women are naturally inferior to men > cannot be changed > shall be governed by men
• function of women = reproduction
• most important thing for reproduction is the soul: soul is giving to a new human being from the father, the mother only gives the matter > makes the woman a passive matter > it is the man that produces new life > matter becomes living
• necessity just to keep the race alive
• a female body is a deformity, an imperfect man, an infertile man only matter without the soul
• incapable of defending herself, smaller brain compared to men, female body gets old quicker
• women lacked sense of justice: not considered able to testify during a judgement or not admitted to male professions
• comparison men’s chest muscles that are strong and women’s that are spongy
• if a man gives birth to a woman it’s due to the weakness of the father during sexual intercourse