Essays

Aristoteles over de vrouw

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Abstract

This contribution aims to provide insight into Aristotle’s arguments for the natural inferiority of women. According to Aristotle, female reason ‘lacks authority’.He does not explain why this is the case or what this actually means. This paper combines Aristotle’s psychology, ethics, politics and biology in order to spell out this obscurity. However, no explanation will be satisfying to the modern reader. It is crucial to understand that science is embedded in a cultural and political environment. An ambitious scientist with a genius for observing reality, can get it wrong nonetheless. This contribution offers a reflection on Aristotle’s biological and philosophical observations in order to understand his ideas within their context.

How to Cite:

Melkebeek, T., (2016) “Aristoteles over de vrouw”, Tetradio 25(1): 10, 231–263. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tetradio.91858