Prompt 2

Ashley Clark

Mrs. Wilhemus

AP English Lit

17 July 2013

Aristotle

            Aristotle states that women are inferior to men. To many he is considered wrong, which is also my opinion. Although men tend to take the leading role in a relationship, a business, or such other things, women still contribute with just as much equity. Women are half of the reason that man is a living creature. In my opinion, Aristotle does not look sound like a philosopher when he states this because women are capable of just about anything a man can do and vice versa. Aristotle’s views, in today’s society and to me, are considered inaccurate and misguided due to his upbringing and experiences.

            Unlike Aristotle, Plato’s views of women are much more reasonable and admirable. He believes everything has “flow” and is created equal, making women equivalent to men. Plato thinks that women have the same amount of reason as men, making us females fit for politics and running businesses. Aristotle views women as “incomplete” which is ridiculous because women are also human beings, just like men. As long as a woman and man are taught the same things, they will always be equal.

            Alberto Knox says it can be assumed that Aristotle was never married and did not have a family. I believe this affects the way Aristotle views women because he has never experienced a women first hand. Women are more normally more emotional than men and to me, are more understanding and cooperative then men because we are not as hard headed. We have sympathy for others and can easily show our soft side. Although men make it seem like they are tough and nothing affects them, deep down they are affectionate and caring because they have women in their lives to bring out their gentleness. I believe Aristotle was not married and did not have the chance to see his soft side and this makes his views biased considering he has no experience. I believe judging a gender or race has to come from interaction, not from philosophical thinking.

Knowing that most of the philosophers in the novel are men does not shock me because I feel that during those time periods, the women were supposed to stay home to cook, clean, and take care of the children. In most cultures, until recently, almost all women would stay home to watch over the house and children, leaving the men to do the labor. This is a possible reason as to why Aristotle thought women were inferior. When something has always been one way, it is hard to see it changing and that can sway your opinion. Aristotle may seem wrong today because the world’s views have changed, but I understand why he thought women lacked the potential to do a man’s job.

            Although I believe Aristotle’s views of women are wrong, I can grasp his idea. His beliefs of women are definitely frowned upon nowadays because women have proven themselves to be hard workers like men. Women are capable of having the same skills as men and can be better than men, but that does not mean all women are like men. We show our compassionate side more than most men and even are stay at home mothers to care for the house and children, although it does not make women inferior like Aristotle thought. Plato’s thoughts are more favorable and will most likely remain this way because of how society views females now. Aristotle is seen as mistaken for his views on women and women have proven they can amount to the same tasks as men.