In Our Time Feminism
Jan 7, 1999
Helena Cronin, a philosopher at the London School of Economics specializing in Darwinian theory, joins Germaine Greer, author of the transformative work *The Female Eunuch*. They delve into the complexities of feminism’s evolution over the last century. The discussion includes whether biological differences between genders are insurmountable and how these influence competitiveness and behaviors. They also explore the impact of cultural shifts on femininity and the pressures women face around reproductive choices, offering insightful perspectives on contemporary feminist challenges.
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Innate Differences
- Men are naturally more competitive, ambitious, and persevering than women, due to evolutionary pressures.
- Women are naturally more judicious in mate selection, also due to evolutionary pressures.
Cultural Reinforcement
- While acknowledging differences between sexes, Germaine Greer emphasizes the cultural reinforcement of masculinity.
- She points to the modern prevalence of virtual sex and masturbation as examples of culturally influenced behavior.
Darwinian Perspective
- Helena Cronin argues that Darwinian theory hasn't been fully applied to understanding human behavior.
- She believes that our evolved psychology is still relevant and understanding it is key to building a fairer society.
