Aristotle on Female Animals: A Study of the Generation of Animals [Hardcover]

Analyses the female in Aristotle's biology, leading to a reassessment of his hylomorphism, scientific methodology and psychology.In this book, Sophia M. Connell sets out Aristotle's views on female animals and argues that they should be seen in a much more positive light than has been previously thought. This results in a reassessment of many fundamental aspects of Aristotle's metaphysics, philosophy and methodology.In this book, Sophia M. Connell sets out Aristotle's views on female animals and argues that they should be seen in a much more positive light than has been previously thought. This results in a reassessment of many fundamental aspects of Aristotle's metaphysics, philosophy and methodology.Aristotle's account of female nature has received mostly negative treatment, emphasising what he says females cannot do. Building on recent research, this book comprehensively revises such readings, setting out the complex and positive role played by the female in Aristotle's thought with a particular focus on the longest surviving treatise on reproduction in the ancient corpus, the Generation of Animals. It provides new interpretations of the nature of Aristotle's sexism, his theory of male and female interaction in generation, and his account of inherited features. It also discusses a range of more general issues which can and should be re-examined in light of Aristotle's account of female animals: his methodology, hylomorphism, teleology and psychology. Aristotle on Female Animals will be valuable to all those interested in Aristotle's philosophy and the history of gender.Introduction; Part I. Methodology in the Study of Aristotle on Female Animals: 1. Feminism, sexism and Aristotle; 2. Consistency in the Generation of Animals; Part II. Reassessing the Generative Role of the Female Animal in Aristotle: 3. Menstrual blood and female semen; 4. Matter; Part III. Reassessing the Generative Role of the Male Animal in Aristotle: 5. The male as efficient and formal cause ol0