A SOCIOBIOLOGICAL DEFENSE OF ARISTOTLE SEXUAL POLITICS

This article defends Aristotle and sociobiology against their feminist critics by arguing that a biological conception of human nature right ly understood can support feminism. Aristotle's telelogical biology is not sexist. On the contrary, his biology suggests lines of argument t hat could vindicate feminism in some form. By arguing for marital frie ndship as the standard for judging spousal relationships, and by defen ding family life, and particularly maternal caregiving, as the natural root of all sociality and politics, Aristotle elevates the claims of women and suggests that the fullest human excellence would combine mas culine and feminine inclinations. Aristotle's functional teleology sus tains a conception of natural human needs and powers as universal desp ite the variability of cultures. Without such an understanding of a un iversal human nature, feminists are tempted to adopt a cultural relati vism that renders their critique of patriarchy incoherent. Furthermore , this defense of Aristotle applies as well to sociobiological account s of human sexual nature.