Plato on Women’s Natural Ability: Revisiting Republic V and Timaeus 41e3–44d2 and 86b1–92c3

What is it about?

We examine Plato’s argument for the equal nature of women in Republic V to defend its viability. The provocation is our not finding in the extensive secondary literature a really detailed treatment of the actual argument and appreciation that it is intended as a sound philosophical argument. We then turn to the devolution schemes in Timaeus, which again touch on the nature of women and appear to counter the position we attribute to Plato, to show that they are really supportive of our account.

Featured Image