Eleanor McLaughlin: Equality of Souls, Inequality of Sexes: Women in Medieval Theology Part I
A Philosophical study of Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle.
Key Points:
The Views from the Medieval Ages and the Church, still shape the modern view of women today.
Both believed man was rational, complete in themselves. Thomas uses the Vir, Spirit, to describe man, while woman's energy is directed towards, the earth. Aristotle like Plato, states that the soul is trapped by the body, a prisoner. They both go on to state that while women can be rational, their primary function is reproduction.
Thomas states that because women are less rational, their part in the Fall (ejection from Eden), would not have been a big deal, if Adam had not also sinned. That Eve's sin was of pride (thinking should be equal to God), and that she was approached by the Serpent because she was easier to seduce. While Adam just wanted to eat the apple not because he trusted the Serpent, but because he wanted to be able to tell good from evil. Thus Eve's sin was greater according to Thomas Aquinas, but was not really as important as Adam deciding to sin.
A Philosophical study of Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle.
Key Points:
The Views from the Medieval Ages and the Church, still shape the modern view of women today.
Both believed man was rational, complete in themselves. Thomas uses the Vir, Spirit, to describe man, while woman's energy is directed towards, the earth. Aristotle like Plato, states that the soul is trapped by the body, a prisoner. They both go on to state that while women can be rational, their primary function is reproduction.
Thomas states that because women are less rational, their part in the Fall (ejection from Eden), would not have been a big deal, if Adam had not also sinned. That Eve's sin was of pride (thinking should be equal to God), and that she was approached by the Serpent because she was easier to seduce. While Adam just wanted to eat the apple not because he trusted the Serpent, but because he wanted to be able to tell good from evil. Thus Eve's sin was greater according to Thomas Aquinas, but was not really as important as Adam deciding to sin.