The Female in Aristotle's Biology

The Female in Aristotle's Biology

Author: Robert Mayhew

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2010-11-15

Total Pages: 149

ISBN-13: 0226512029

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While Aristotle's writings on biology are considered to be among his best, the comments he makes about females in these works are widely regarded as the nadir of his philosophical oeuvre. Among many claims, Aristotle is said to have declared that females contribute nothing substantial to generation; that they have fewer teeth than males; that they are less spirited than males; and that woman are analogous to eunuchs. In The Female in Aristotle's Biology, Robert Mayhew aims not to defend Aristotle's ideas about females but to defend Aristotle against the common charge that his writings on female species were motivated by ideological bias. Mayhew points out that the tools of modern science and scientific experimentation were not available to the Greeks during Aristotle's time and that, consequently, Aristotle had relied not only on empirical observations when writing about living organisms but also on a fair amount of speculation. Further, he argues that Aristotle's remarks about females in his biological writings did not tend to promote the inferior status of ancient Greek women. Written with passion and precision, The Female in Aristotle's Biology will be of enormous value to students of philosophy, the history of science, and classical literature.


Book Synopsis The Female in Aristotle's Biology by : Robert Mayhew

Download or read book The Female in Aristotle's Biology written by Robert Mayhew and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2010-11-15 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While Aristotle's writings on biology are considered to be among his best, the comments he makes about females in these works are widely regarded as the nadir of his philosophical oeuvre. Among many claims, Aristotle is said to have declared that females contribute nothing substantial to generation; that they have fewer teeth than males; that they are less spirited than males; and that woman are analogous to eunuchs. In The Female in Aristotle's Biology, Robert Mayhew aims not to defend Aristotle's ideas about females but to defend Aristotle against the common charge that his writings on female species were motivated by ideological bias. Mayhew points out that the tools of modern science and scientific experimentation were not available to the Greeks during Aristotle's time and that, consequently, Aristotle had relied not only on empirical observations when writing about living organisms but also on a fair amount of speculation. Further, he argues that Aristotle's remarks about females in his biological writings did not tend to promote the inferior status of ancient Greek women. Written with passion and precision, The Female in Aristotle's Biology will be of enormous value to students of philosophy, the history of science, and classical literature.


The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle's Biology

The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle's Biology

Author: S. M. Connell

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-05-27

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 1107197732

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Comprehensive overview of all the key issues in Aristotle's biological works and their place within his broader philosophy and theology.


Book Synopsis The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle's Biology by : S. M. Connell

Download or read book The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle's Biology written by S. M. Connell and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2021-05-27 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Comprehensive overview of all the key issues in Aristotle's biological works and their place within his broader philosophy and theology.


Aristotle on Female Animals

Aristotle on Female Animals

Author: Sophia M. Connell

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-01-14

Total Pages: 455

ISBN-13: 110713630X

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Analyses the female in Aristotle's biology, leading to a reassessment of his hylomorphism, scientific methodology and psychology.


Book Synopsis Aristotle on Female Animals by : Sophia M. Connell

Download or read book Aristotle on Female Animals written by Sophia M. Connell and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2016-01-14 with total page 455 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Analyses the female in Aristotle's biology, leading to a reassessment of his hylomorphism, scientific methodology and psychology.


Aristotle's Generation of Animals

Aristotle's Generation of Animals

Author: Andrea Falcon

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2018-01-11

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 1108585310

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Generation of Animals is one of Aristotle's most mature, sophisticated, and carefully crafted scientific writings. His overall goal is to provide a comprehensive and systematic account of how animals reproduce, including a study of their reproductive organs, what we would call fertilization, embryogenesis, and organogenesis. In this book, international experts present thirteen original essays providing a philosophically and historically informed introduction to this important work. They shed light on the unity and structure of the Generation of Animals, the main theses that Aristotle defends in the work, and the method of inquiry he adopts. They also open up new avenues of exploration of this difficult and still largely unexplored work. The volume will be essential for scholars and students of ancient philosophy as well as of the history and philosophy of science.


Book Synopsis Aristotle's Generation of Animals by : Andrea Falcon

Download or read book Aristotle's Generation of Animals written by Andrea Falcon and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018-01-11 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Generation of Animals is one of Aristotle's most mature, sophisticated, and carefully crafted scientific writings. His overall goal is to provide a comprehensive and systematic account of how animals reproduce, including a study of their reproductive organs, what we would call fertilization, embryogenesis, and organogenesis. In this book, international experts present thirteen original essays providing a philosophically and historically informed introduction to this important work. They shed light on the unity and structure of the Generation of Animals, the main theses that Aristotle defends in the work, and the method of inquiry he adopts. They also open up new avenues of exploration of this difficult and still largely unexplored work. The volume will be essential for scholars and students of ancient philosophy as well as of the history and philosophy of science.


Aristotle on Women

Aristotle on Women

Author: Sophia M. Connell

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-08-12

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 1108604765

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This Element provides an account of Aristotle on women which combines what is found in his scientific biology with his practical philosophy. Scholars have often debated how these two fields are related. The current study shows that according to Aristotelian biology, women are set up for intelligence and tend to be milder-tempered than men. Thus, women are not curtailed either intellectually or morally by their biology. The biological basis for the rule of men over women is women's lack of spiritedness. Aristotle's Politics must be read with its audience in mind; there is a need to convince men of the importance of avoiding insurrection both in the city and the household. While their spiritedness gives men the upper hand, they are encouraged to listen to the views of free women in order to achieve the best life for all.


Book Synopsis Aristotle on Women by : Sophia M. Connell

Download or read book Aristotle on Women written by Sophia M. Connell and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2021-08-12 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Element provides an account of Aristotle on women which combines what is found in his scientific biology with his practical philosophy. Scholars have often debated how these two fields are related. The current study shows that according to Aristotelian biology, women are set up for intelligence and tend to be milder-tempered than men. Thus, women are not curtailed either intellectually or morally by their biology. The biological basis for the rule of men over women is women's lack of spiritedness. Aristotle's Politics must be read with its audience in mind; there is a need to convince men of the importance of avoiding insurrection both in the city and the household. While their spiritedness gives men the upper hand, they are encouraged to listen to the views of free women in order to achieve the best life for all.


The Lagoon

The Lagoon

Author: Armand Marie Leroi

Publisher: Penguin Books

Published: 2015-12-08

Total Pages: 514

ISBN-13: 0143127985

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In The Lagoon, acclaimed biologist Armand Marie Leroi recovers Aristotle's science. He revisits Aristotle's writings and the places where he worked. He goes to the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to see the creatures that Aristotle saw, where he saw them. He explores Aristotle's observations, his deep ideas, his inspired guesses--and the things he got wildly wrong. He shows how Aristotle's science is deeply intertwined with his philosophical system and reveals that he was not only the first biologist, but also one of the greatest.


Book Synopsis The Lagoon by : Armand Marie Leroi

Download or read book The Lagoon written by Armand Marie Leroi and published by Penguin Books. This book was released on 2015-12-08 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In The Lagoon, acclaimed biologist Armand Marie Leroi recovers Aristotle's science. He revisits Aristotle's writings and the places where he worked. He goes to the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to see the creatures that Aristotle saw, where he saw them. He explores Aristotle's observations, his deep ideas, his inspired guesses--and the things he got wildly wrong. He shows how Aristotle's science is deeply intertwined with his philosophical system and reveals that he was not only the first biologist, but also one of the greatest.


Forms, Souls, and Embryos

Forms, Souls, and Embryos

Author: James Wilberding

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-07-15

Total Pages: 275

ISBN-13: 1317355245

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Forms, Souls, and Embryos allows readers coming from different backgrounds to appreciate the depth and originality with which the Neoplatonists engaged with and responded to a number of philosophical questions central to human reproduction, including: What is the causal explanation of the embryo’s formation? How and to what extent are Platonic Forms involved? In what sense is a fetus ‘alive,’ and when does it become a human being? Where does the embryo’s soul come from, and how is it connected to its body? This is the first full-length study in English of this fascinating subject, and is a must-read for anyone interested in Neoplatonism or the history of medicine and embryology.


Book Synopsis Forms, Souls, and Embryos by : James Wilberding

Download or read book Forms, Souls, and Embryos written by James Wilberding and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-07-15 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Forms, Souls, and Embryos allows readers coming from different backgrounds to appreciate the depth and originality with which the Neoplatonists engaged with and responded to a number of philosophical questions central to human reproduction, including: What is the causal explanation of the embryo’s formation? How and to what extent are Platonic Forms involved? In what sense is a fetus ‘alive,’ and when does it become a human being? Where does the embryo’s soul come from, and how is it connected to its body? This is the first full-length study in English of this fascinating subject, and is a must-read for anyone interested in Neoplatonism or the history of medicine and embryology.


Aristotle on Matter, Form, and Moving Causes

Aristotle on Matter, Form, and Moving Causes

Author: Devin Henry

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2019-12-05

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 1108475574

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Examines Aristotle's doctrine of hylomorphism and its importance for understanding the process by which substances come into being.


Book Synopsis Aristotle on Matter, Form, and Moving Causes by : Devin Henry

Download or read book Aristotle on Matter, Form, and Moving Causes written by Devin Henry and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2019-12-05 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Examines Aristotle's doctrine of hylomorphism and its importance for understanding the process by which substances come into being.


The Feminine Symptom

The Feminine Symptom

Author: Emanuela Bianchi

Publisher: Fordham Univ Press

Published: 2014-09-15

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0823262200

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The first English-language study of Aristotle’s natural philosophy from a continental perspective, the Feminine Symptom takes as its starting point the problem of female offspring. If form is transmitted by the male and the female provides only matter, how is a female child produced? Aristotle answers that there must be some fault or misstep in the process. This inexplicable but necessary coincidence—sumptoma in Greek—defines the feminine symptom. Departing from the standard associations of male-activity-form and female-passivity-matter, Bianchi traces the operation of chance and spontaneity throughout Aristotle’s biology, physics, cosmology, and metaphysics and argues that it is not passive but aleatory matter— unpredictable, ungovernable, and acting against nature and teleology—that he continually allies with the feminine. Aristotle’s pervasive disparagement of the female as a mild form of monstrosity thus works to shore up his polemic against the aleatory and to consolidate patriarchal teleology in the face of atomism and Empedocleanism. Bianchi concludes by connecting her analysis to recent biological and materialist political thinking, and makes the case for a new, antiessentialist politics of aleatory feminism.


Book Synopsis The Feminine Symptom by : Emanuela Bianchi

Download or read book The Feminine Symptom written by Emanuela Bianchi and published by Fordham Univ Press. This book was released on 2014-09-15 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first English-language study of Aristotle’s natural philosophy from a continental perspective, the Feminine Symptom takes as its starting point the problem of female offspring. If form is transmitted by the male and the female provides only matter, how is a female child produced? Aristotle answers that there must be some fault or misstep in the process. This inexplicable but necessary coincidence—sumptoma in Greek—defines the feminine symptom. Departing from the standard associations of male-activity-form and female-passivity-matter, Bianchi traces the operation of chance and spontaneity throughout Aristotle’s biology, physics, cosmology, and metaphysics and argues that it is not passive but aleatory matter— unpredictable, ungovernable, and acting against nature and teleology—that he continually allies with the feminine. Aristotle’s pervasive disparagement of the female as a mild form of monstrosity thus works to shore up his polemic against the aleatory and to consolidate patriarchal teleology in the face of atomism and Empedocleanism. Bianchi concludes by connecting her analysis to recent biological and materialist political thinking, and makes the case for a new, antiessentialist politics of aleatory feminism.


Discovering Reality

Discovering Reality

Author: Sandra Harding

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-12-30

Total Pages: 431

ISBN-13: 0306480174

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Are Western epistemology, metaphysics, methodology and the philosophy of science grounded only in men's distinctive understandings of themselves, others, and nature? Does this less than human understanding distort our models of reason and of scientific inquiry? In different ways, the papers in this collection explore the evidence for these increasingly reasonable and intriguing questions. They identify how it is distinctively masculine perspectives on masculine experience which have shaped the most fundamental and formal aspects of systematic thought in philosophy and the natural and social sciences - precisely the aspects of thought believed most gender-neutral. They show how these understandings ground Aristotle's biology and metaphysics; the very definition of the problems of philosophy in Plato, Descartes, Hobbes and Rousseau; the `adversary method' which is the paradigm of philosophic and scientific reasoning; principles of individuation in philosophical ontology and the philosophy of language; individualistic assumptions in psychology; functionalism in sociological and biological theory; evolutionary theory; the methodology of political science; Marxist political economy; and conceptions of `objective inquiry' in the social and natural sciences. These essays also begin to identify for us the distictive aspects of women's experience which can provide the resources needed for the creation of a truly human understanding. Audience: The book will be of interest to those involved in epistemology, and philosophy of the natural and social sciences, as well as feminist scholars in philosophy. The work will also be of value for theorists, methodologists, and feminist scholars in the natural and social sciences.


Book Synopsis Discovering Reality by : Sandra Harding

Download or read book Discovering Reality written by Sandra Harding and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2005-12-30 with total page 431 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Are Western epistemology, metaphysics, methodology and the philosophy of science grounded only in men's distinctive understandings of themselves, others, and nature? Does this less than human understanding distort our models of reason and of scientific inquiry? In different ways, the papers in this collection explore the evidence for these increasingly reasonable and intriguing questions. They identify how it is distinctively masculine perspectives on masculine experience which have shaped the most fundamental and formal aspects of systematic thought in philosophy and the natural and social sciences - precisely the aspects of thought believed most gender-neutral. They show how these understandings ground Aristotle's biology and metaphysics; the very definition of the problems of philosophy in Plato, Descartes, Hobbes and Rousseau; the `adversary method' which is the paradigm of philosophic and scientific reasoning; principles of individuation in philosophical ontology and the philosophy of language; individualistic assumptions in psychology; functionalism in sociological and biological theory; evolutionary theory; the methodology of political science; Marxist political economy; and conceptions of `objective inquiry' in the social and natural sciences. These essays also begin to identify for us the distictive aspects of women's experience which can provide the resources needed for the creation of a truly human understanding. Audience: The book will be of interest to those involved in epistemology, and philosophy of the natural and social sciences, as well as feminist scholars in philosophy. The work will also be of value for theorists, methodologists, and feminist scholars in the natural and social sciences.