2007-04-02 12:57:37 · 17 answers · asked by Zoey 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
It has only been in the past 50 years that women have been considered equal with men. The term "mankind" was coined far before that time. A generic term for man and womankind has not yet been introduced. Care to try?
2007-04-02 13:09:45 · answer #1 · answered by Wait a Minute 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a book called Bible (which means "book) that says the first non-divine creature created was a guy called Adam. In Arabic, the name would be pronounced Ah-dum (not Ad-um, as it is in English). Ah means to be called. Dum means life. So, Adam means one who was called (brought) to life by God. Since Adam was a man, his wife was like him but not a man. Together they made up mankind -- the kind of people who were like men (like Adam), even if they weren't exactly men and were women instead.
2007-04-02 13:36:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anpadh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Man is the generic term for the specie Homo Sapiens. The male of the specie has co-opted the term to mean himself by virtue of language. Mankind is a linquistic device for kind of man, meaning one who is of the specie of man.
2007-04-02 15:24:38 · answer #3 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am guessing that maybe "man", or some close form of it, was used to describe a homo erectus, and "woman" didn't originate until after "mankind" was coined.
2007-04-02 13:27:35 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because we invented the world we deserve to have something named after us. its the reward for thousands of years of sacrifice, invention and great struggle. you have a problem with that, have a sex change. or live with it.
life has a way of rewarding hardworking creatures like us.
you are not suggesting we use womankind? if we do i will say nature hates good things. the blond named Puppylov who has answered your question explains why we don't call it womankind.
having said this i don't think anyone loves woman as much as i do.
2007-04-02 13:49:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because we are sick of perfectionism that puts no end to its self and we are too belabored to waste more time that would otherwise be valuably spent; the Will is positive, the Judgment is negative.
2007-04-02 14:56:05 · answer #6 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As male is dominant we say man, just like most other mammals. ie, Horse, not Mare. Dog, not *****. Pig, not sow. There are exeptions but not many.
2007-04-02 14:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by cockeye 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same reason we say mailman, fireman, preacher man, etc. Women are not yet equals to men, per men. (I am a woman so don't panic.)
2007-04-02 13:30:50 · answer #8 · answered by greenfrogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cos saying woman kind would be sexist
2007-04-02 13:20:06 · answer #9 · answered by lister_larger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is a general saying of everyone not just male.
2007-04-02 13:05:33 · answer #10 · answered by Don 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋