Example research essay topic: Aristotle And His View Of Women - 533 words

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Aristotle believed that women are incomplete in some way. He compared woman of being unfinished man. This belief is based on the view of reproduction, where woman is passive and receptive, while man is active and productive. Therefore, Aristotle was sure that a child inherits only male characteristics, because he thought that future child characteristics lay in male sperm. Aristotle compared woman to the soil, which was sowed by man. According to Aristotelian words, man provides the form, while woman contributes the matter.

It is possible to see that Aristotelian view of women became quite harmful, because it was the one taken for a foundation of the gender roles during the Middle Ages. The way in which Aristotle described woman is different from what we have used to see in our life. In his opinion, a good wife should be the mistress of her home. She should take care of everything at the house; however, she should not allow anyone to enter the house without her husbands permission. If women would not obey these rules, her sole will be poisoned.

Woman should control the money spent on various celebrations, which had been approved by her husband. Nevertheless, woman should not spend a lot on the things that are not of a great importance. Woman mainly is viewed as mans slave. Woman should not be interested in public affairs. In addition, she should not give any advice to her husband concerning the future marriages of children. When time for deciding the marriage of a child had come, woman should totally rely on her husbands views and respect his decision.

This question is only of males authority and responsibility. Woman should also consider her husbands wishes as laws appointed for her by the divine law, along with the marriage and the fortune that she shares. Woman will be good in managing home if she will endure all of her husbands wishes. She should provide all the service that her husband might need. All this is viewed in a secure family. However, if a man might have some problems, his wife should help him with moral support and with words of cheer, showing him obedience in her belief in husbands abilities.

Woman should not complain about these problems and should not say that her husband has done something wrong, but rather should attribute everything of this kind to accidental errors or lack of fortune. Aristotle also points out that wife should serve to her husband better than a slave, because wife costs more to man than slave. Man had paid his price with allowing his wife to be partner in his life. Aristotle views the relationship of man and woman as equal treatment of both sides. Husband should also pay attention about his wifes happiness and well-being.

However, in his point of view it is possible to see that a perfect woman is a perfect wife. A perfect wife is the woman, who is trained by her husband. If the husband learns first to master himself, he will thereby become his wife's best guide in all the affairs of life, and will teach her to follow his example (p. 43, The Politics & Economics of Aristotle).

Research essay sample on Aristotle And His View Of Women