Abstract

Chapter 6 addresses Aristotle’s exclusion of women from full virtue by explaining their moral deficiencies in light of their presumed biological imperfections. Although _formally_ identical to men, Aristotle believes that women, as a result of what happens to them during embryogenesis, are less perfect members of the human species due to their colder, earthier _material_ nature. The particular natural character profile Aristotle attributes to women in the biological treatises, which is due to this particular material nature, accounts for his claims in the _Politics_ that women can acquire only the “virtues of assistants” and that they are naturally being ruled by men. I also discuss Aristotle’s notorious claim (often ascribed to plain sexism) that women by nature have a deliberate capacity necessary for moral decision making but that it “lacks authority,” and his attribution of softness and weakness of will to them, and I offer psychophysical explanations for these moral deficiencies.