Aristotle on Female Animals A Study of the Generation of Animals Cambridge Classical Studies Series

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 of generation; 6. Interpretations of Aristotle on the male role in generation; Part IV. Generation in Lower Animals and Particular Instances: 7. Generation in lower animals; 8. Aristotle on sexual differentiation; 9. Aristotle on heredity; 10. Teleology and necessity in the Generation of Animals; Conclusion.

Sophia M. Connell is an Affiliated Lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Cambridge, a Fellow of Selwyn College and a Bye Fellow of Newnham College. She has published articles on Aristotle's biology and on Galen and Aristotle on women's bodies.