Are women always associated with passivity in philosophy?

Answer 1

Since common synonyms for the word ‘passivity’ are obedience, submissiveness, and compliance, I would have to say no, these descriptions are not commonly associated with women in philosophy, since philosophy deals with ideas and viewpoints rather than physical characteristics.

In other words, fiction and supposition.

Now, in the real world the term passivity sounds like a good description for a proper woman to me… philosophically speaking.

Answer 2

Because philosophy is intellectually lazy, even though philosophers may think otherwise. Biology got over the female passivity thing with the concept of sexual selection, though it took some sometime to come around to it. The majority of biologist now know about female choice.

Answer 3

I think that question is rather misleading. The way you asked it leads the reader to believe that women ARE always viewed as passive in philosophy, which is entirely false.

Answer 4

some religious philosophies seem to ascribe a receptive function to the feminine element. Then receptive is equated with passivity. Bright were the minds that came up with such notions indeed. Go figure...

Answer 5

Passivity, as in second class to men throughout history - true. But don't forget the lioness, the praying mantis, or my wife... when it comes to their kids, they're ruthless.

Answer 6

Yes.

Answer 7

Here is a good detailed anwer:

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KRvtAf-INVsC&oi=fnd&pg=PP9&sig=NJIZ2R2eKSW0JumOqmTTVQzb88I&dq=women+and+philosophers&prev=http://scholar.google.com/scholar%3Fq%3Dwomen%2Band%2Bphilosophers%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D#PPA5,M1

Answer 8

No. Read my mind.