Course : Greek Philosophy and Applied Ethics

Summary

Aristotle’s essentialism, the belief that entities have inherent, unchanging essences, profoundly shaped Western sexual ethics by reinforcing fixed gender roles and hierarchical norms. Viewing women as biologically and rationally inferior, Aristotle naturalized male dominance and female subordination, embedding these assumptions into moral and political theory. His teleological view of nature framed reproduction and heterosexual union as the natural ends of sexuality, marginalizing other expressions as "unnatural." This framework influenced Christian theology, medieval scholasticism, and modern ethical thought, underpinning restrictive norms around gender and sexuality that persisted for centuries. Contemporary critiques challenge these foundations, seeking more inclusive ethical models.

Suggested readings

• Natalie Stoljar, "Essence, Identity and the Concept of Woman," Philosophical Topics 23, no. 2 (1995): 261-293.
• Gregory John Anthony Jackson, The Difference of Sex and the Difference It Makes (PhD Diss., St Mary’s University, 2023).
• Christina Peterman, The Metaphysics of Gender, Thesis Review, 2019.

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