HISC 27 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Emor, Soranus Of Ephesus, Ancient Philosophy
Document Summary
Christian writers and saints borrowed important medical and cultural traditions from the roman and jewish world in which they lives, adapting them to their own purposes. Christian doctrines on sex, marriage, and family were an important component of the preaching of the first generation of disciples. Many male anchorites acknowledged women"s ability to resist sexual temptations by living an egalitarian but celibate relations with them: this practice was contrary to the interests of male-dominated families and the newly emergent church hierarchy. Non-christian roots of christian sexual pessimism by uta ranke-heinemann. Sexual pessimism in antiquity is derived, not, as it would be later in christianity, from the curse of sin and punishment for it, but predominantly from medical considerations. Pythagoras (6th century b. c. ) said that sex is harmful to health in every season but the best time for love is when you want to weaken yourself .
