Book V of The Republic exists as the beginning to one of the most customarily controversial and confounding topics in the building of the “true city”: the inclusion of women guardians. Socrates begrudgingly accepts the challenge put forth by his comrades to delve into the specifics that guardianship would include, firstly that of the role women would play. This first wave, which questions the possibility of equal male and female guardians, is successfully ridden out by Socrates, whose logical argument overcomes that of the skeptical others.
Socrates’ argument begins with asking Glaucon whether or not the wives of the guardians should do as their male counterparts do, or if they are only capable of staying home and raising children. Glaucon …show more content…
Socrates argues on the behalf of women that they are similar to men in their natures, in the very core of their being that defines who they are as individuals. He argues that regardless of the obvious physical differences, and that women bear children while men beget them, it is the being of the person that should define them and set their course in life. Socrates’ approach is that there are like minded men and women, and those that are of guardianship quality should be treated as such, for “the various natures are distributed in the same way in both creatures” (455d). The only differences between the two sexes are personal soul distinctions, and the natural abilities of each gender. It is true that in general, women are naturally inferior to men in terms of strength. The only discrepancies that may be found in Socrates’ approach is his belief that female guardians should be given lighter tasks, due to his statement that “women share by nature in every way of life just as men do, but in all of them women are weaker than men” (455e). This is not always necessarily the case, as there are women who might have strength equal or superior to that of some men, or who are superior in terms of spirit, will power, determination, etc. Nevertheless, this statement is true as a generality. Socrates’ approach remains that it would be ridiculous to exclude women from the guardianship class, as their natures may be of the same grade as the male guardians. It is this approach that renders his argument acceptable and solves the difficulties of the first wave. This concept puts women on relatively acceptable terms as men. The few minor inequalities that exist stem from a viewpoint to level the playing field, giving the generally stronger individuals tasks they are better suited
Socrates’ argument begins with asking Glaucon whether or not the wives of the guardians should do as their male counterparts do, or if they are only capable of staying home and raising children. Glaucon …show more content…
Socrates argues on the behalf of women that they are similar to men in their natures, in the very core of their being that defines who they are as individuals. He argues that regardless of the obvious physical differences, and that women bear children while men beget them, it is the being of the person that should define them and set their course in life. Socrates’ approach is that there are like minded men and women, and those that are of guardianship quality should be treated as such, for “the various natures are distributed in the same way in both creatures” (455d). The only differences between the two sexes are personal soul distinctions, and the natural abilities of each gender. It is true that in general, women are naturally inferior to men in terms of strength. The only discrepancies that may be found in Socrates’ approach is his belief that female guardians should be given lighter tasks, due to his statement that “women share by nature in every way of life just as men do, but in all of them women are weaker than men” (455e). This is not always necessarily the case, as there are women who might have strength equal or superior to that of some men, or who are superior in terms of spirit, will power, determination, etc. Nevertheless, this statement is true as a generality. Socrates’ approach remains that it would be ridiculous to exclude women from the guardianship class, as their natures may be of the same grade as the male guardians. It is this approach that renders his argument acceptable and solves the difficulties of the first wave. This concept puts women on relatively acceptable terms as men. The few minor inequalities that exist stem from a viewpoint to level the playing field, giving the generally stronger individuals tasks they are better suited