Plato and the Equality of Women

Abstract

A I MONG CONTEMPORARY WOMEN'S LIBERATIONISTS, Plato is beginning to emerge as something of a hero. There are laudatory references to him in more popular publications: in her book Sex al Politics, Kate Millett co mends him for the liberal suggestions he made concerning the educatio of women; similarly, many years previously, Theodor Gomperz said that Plato proclai s we generally call the emancipation of women.1 These writers all ave in mind, of course, that part of the Republic where the question is raised about whethe women should be admitted to the class of guardians, and it is on this familiar passage that I wish to concentrate my attention. I shall not be pri arily concerned with whether, or to what exte t, this sectio is typical of Plato's remarks on the status of women throughout the rest of the dialogues; for it seems to be universally agreed t at it is here, if anywhere, that his most radical views are to be found, and where he emerges most strongly as a sympathiser with the feminist cause. However, the passage co cerned presents roblems, because we find in it t o distinguishable arguments. Each a rives at the same conclusion-that some women are as naturally equipped as some en to be guardians. But whereas the first reaches this conclusion by an appeal to principles of justice, and certainly supports Plato's ra king as an advocate of the rights of women, the second seems to put Plato in quite a different light. For in it he appears to hold the view that men are superior to women, a view which, if it is his (an most commentators attribute this view to him), ould be rather embarrassing for those who regard him as a champion of the equality of the sexes. In pa ticular, it would involve Plato's argument in a major inconsistency, for it would mean his advocating for wo e a position that, on his own account, they did not justly deserve. Nevertheless, as I shall attempt to make clear, I have no desire to tarnish Plato's image in this atter. Rather, I shall seek to refurbish it, so that it may stand better in the face of c itical examination.