This article studies whether Aristotle＇s understanding of magnanimity excludes women. I examine Aristotle＇s concept of the biological, moral, and intellectual capacities of women in theory and practice. Although Ari...This article studies whether Aristotle＇s understanding of magnanimity excludes women. I examine Aristotle＇s concept of the biological, moral, and intellectual capacities of women in theory and practice. Although Aristotle＇s biology describes key differences between the sexes, it does not exclude women from magnanimity. While the ethical and political writings also note key differences between men and women, they leave the theoretical possibility of attaining magnanimity open. Practically, the lack of leadership opportunities available to actual women may hinder the development of prudence, leading to an inability to achieve complete virtue and hence magnanimity. Thus, if women are unable to be magnanimous, this is due to practical political and familial arrangements, not to innate feminine defects. This finding provides a unique argument for feminine leadership and political participation. Truly exceptional women may need to actively seek out leadership opportunities and political involvement in order to complete their virtue展开更多
文摘This article studies whether Aristotle＇s understanding of magnanimity excludes women. I examine Aristotle＇s concept of the biological, moral, and intellectual capacities of women in theory and practice. Although Aristotle＇s biology describes key differences between the sexes, it does not exclude women from magnanimity. While the ethical and political writings also note key differences between men and women, they leave the theoretical possibility of attaining magnanimity open. Practically, the lack of leadership opportunities available to actual women may hinder the development of prudence, leading to an inability to achieve complete virtue and hence magnanimity. Thus, if women are unable to be magnanimous, this is due to practical political and familial arrangements, not to innate feminine defects. This finding provides a unique argument for feminine leadership and political participation. Truly exceptional women may need to actively seek out leadership opportunities and political involvement in order to complete their virtue
