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References
The Classics Pages Historical Women of Philosophy Plato Philosophy Talk:
Plato Plato
and Platonism The
Philosophy of Plato The
Republic, Book I The
Republic: Study Questions The
Apology Works
by Plato Plato's
Allegory Of The Cave: A Springboard For The Matrix Noble
lies and perpetual war |
Plato: Women in the Ideal State - Part VI
The Application
| The Context >>The Problem >> The Distinction >> The Analogy >> The Principle >> The Application >> The Conclusion |
From his argument and examples in Book V of The Republic, Plato has establish a principle of relevant differences;
"the opposition of natures should extend...only to those differences which affected the pursuit in which the individual is engaged." (Rep. 454c).
He then sets to the task of applying that principle to the question of whether women should follow the same pursuits (careers, activities, responsibilities) as men.
| "And if the male and female sex appear to differ in their fitness for any art or pursuit, we should say that such pursuit or art ought to be assigned to one or the other of them; but if the difference consists only in women bearing and men begetting children, this does not amount to a proof that a woman differs from a man in respect of the sort of education she should receive; and we shall therefore continue to maintain that our guardians and their wives ought to have the same pursuits." (Rep. 454d-e). |
Look back to the example that Plato uses as an analogy and you will see that the relevance of baldness/hairiness to cobbling is like the relevance of bearing/begetting to education. Neither of these oppositions of difference has any essential affect upon the pursuit in question. Both oppositions must be ruled as mere appearances by Plato's principle.
Unless someone can demonstrate an essential opposition of differences between men and women that is relevant to higher pursuits, then it follows that the relevant capabilities for all forms of education, all careers, and all levels of social responsibility are as potentially present in woman as they are in men. From this point Plato concludes that women should be able to serve in all functions of society, including the defense of the State and top political leadership.
Plato's reasoning is sound. Especially so since the possible grounds for refuting his conclusions are made clear (great thinkers always provide readers with the means to test and refute them). Still, most of Western history has rejected Plato's conclusions without honestly refuting his arguments. For me, this stands as stark testament to the grip that appearance has on our cultures throughout most of history. Plato's radical message remains powerful to the present: unless we reform our personal lives and our societal structures, we shall persist in a state of ignorance and injustice.
And yet, what of the naked women in the gymnasia?
| The Context >>The Problem >> The Distinction >> The Analogy >> The Principle >> The Application >> The Conclusion |
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