Riin Sirkel, "Aristotle on Essence and Gender: Why Should Men Rule?”

Riin's abstract:  I will examine whether Aristotle’s metaphysical views – more specifically, his views on ontological hierarchy and essence, as they emerge from Categories and Topics – are consistent with the claims he makes in Politics I about men and women. In Aristotle’s account, ontological hierarchy is based on the natures of things involved. I will propose that he aims to make a similar essentialist move in Politics I when developing his views on household hierarchy and defending the rule of men over women. Yet, his attempt to base the household hierarchy on essential differences between men and women runs into difficulties. If the difference between them is essential, then the rule of men is on a firm basis, but there is a conflict with Aristotle’s views on essence. If they are essentially the same, then there is no such conflict, but it is unclear why men should rule the household and do so permanently. As we will see, there is no easy way out of this difficulty.