PP249- Final Exam Guide - Comprehensive Notes for the exam ( 88 pages long!)
Document Summary
Causation and substance: the 4 causes allow us to talk about any entity and its nature or essence. It is in the nature (essence) of a rock, made of earthen matter, to fall (in accordance with its natural motion) to the centre of the world. It is in the nature of the plant to grow (the essence of vegetative life) It is in the nature of human (rational animals) to engage in contemplation, and to be social he thinks we are essentially political animals. Gender: substance or accident: the big question when it comes to the metaphysics of gender is where it lies in the key. Anti-essentialism as the norm" in feminist theory: but witt thinks that the core argument is flawed, let"s start with social constructivism. It is often assumed by feminists that because gender is social constructed it must not be essential: but witt argues that this view needs to be better argued for.
