So Who's Smarter? Girls or Boys?  

Posted by The Glo-ness

Okay, so I practically adore St. Thomas, so in the spirit of all things Thomistic, here is a post I wrote on my super-duper secret (at least for now) feminism blog. Enjoy!

Whether the Woman is Less Intelligent than the Man:

Objection 1: It would seem that the woman is less intelligent than the man, since we see more intellectual accomplishments being done by men. Almost all the greatest books, and ideas have been made by men, and women have made very few discoveries and rarely achieve much in the intellectual sphere.

Objection 2: Also, in everyday situations, women more frequently use emotion to guide their actions, while men more often use reason. This leads to women making erroneous decisions. If the woman were truly intelligent, she would use her intelligence to make her decisions and thus, avoid mistakes. Since she does not, therefore, she is less intelligent.

Objection 3: And again, the woman is more frequently and easily overcome by an excess of emotion. Since emotion clouds judgement, and bad judgement is a sign of unintelligence, therefore the woman is not as intelligent as the man.

On the contrary, I answer that:

The woman is no more or less intelligent than the man. Intelligence is a gift of God and is distributed widely among both of the genders. One woman can be much more intelligent than many men, just as one man can be much more intelligent than many women. It is a matter of distribution, not attribute of gender.

Reply to Objection 1: It is indeed true than many more men have achieved public acknowledgment for the works they have made, but that does not of necessity prove that women are less gifted, simply because they have not been acknowledged the same way. It is the usual tendency of women to turn their energies inward, towards the immediate circle of their home and family, and displays of intelligence performed there are only seen by the people involved. This of necessity makes it hard for women’s works to be publicly acclaimed, and is the root cause of the seeming silence of history on the woman’s accomplishments.

Reply to Objection 2: It is true that the woman more often uses emotions, rather than intelligence to make a decision, but this is a sign of weakness on the part of the particular woman, not a proof affecting the entire gender. If she overcomes this weakness, she is then able to use reason when making decisions, just as a man could. It is also true that many men also use emotion when making decisions, and can fall into the same errors.

Reply to Objection 3: This follows from the reply to Objection 2. The weakness of emotion overcoming reason affects both genders, although it is true that women are more often affected this way.

This entry was posted on July 21, 2009 at Tuesday, July 21, 2009 . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

9 comments

Well I must say I think that is quite, well said; seeing as God wouldn't leave the training, Caring, and raising of young souls to an incompetent being, such as women are often treated. And I must Agree with G.K. Chesterton when he says, that this is none-sense the modern idea of equality, between genders, and that it is rather some steps down,to become equal, then a step-up as people seem to think.

But it was Eve's Fault.......... =P, J/K lol!

July 21, 2009 at 7:10 PM

The modern idea of equality between the genders is not equality at all. Women are fighting to do all that men do and discard any feminine qualities they innately posessed. This shows that women do not want to be equel, but rather that they wish to be superior to man. If modern women wish to be more equel they should not discard what makes them women. Interesting post.
I don't see what intelligance has to do with equality. Both genders have strengths and weeknesses. Both were created to fulfill a certain role and as long as he or she plays the part then both sides are equel.

July 21, 2009 at 9:05 PM

yes because man is dominate, in the world so they wish to become "equal", and by that they mean they want dominance; which they call being "equal". And women have been treated as subordinates, for as long as they have been around, so many modern women believe they are treated thus because they lack a certain capability, and most man who instinctively treat them subordinatily; by not putting God into the equation, they did not have an explanation when women revolted. So they see it as women being incapable i.e. unintelligent, and ruled by emotion. so intelligence does play a role in modern "equality".

July 21, 2009 at 10:37 PM

In my last comment I said "yes because man is dominate, in the world" I simply meant in the world of business, and in the fact that God gave dominance to men. but yes if women play their role in the world, as God directed them, then yes their equal.

July 21, 2009 at 10:41 PM

Well-written, Glo! Many thanks!

July 22, 2009 at 2:02 AM

Sorry I wasn't clear. I meant that men and women have a different intelligence designed for different purposes. Both have strengths and weeknesses. If both are used as God intended, then they are equel.

July 22, 2009 at 11:30 AM

hokay, first off... Glo that rocked! Gotta love St Thomas!

next... to J E... it's e-q-u-A-l. got spelling? jk!

July 22, 2009 at 8:56 PM

Awww....thanks guys! All the compliments-I feel special! :) haha....

Thomas and J.E. :
Great feedback! I totally agree! Speaking of women being subordinate...for the record, women haven't ALWAYS and EVERYWHERE been treated as subordinates-that's a modern myth to fuel feminism....whenever cultures held to the dictates of the Natural Law and natural virtue (i.e. EARLY Rome )women were treated decently. Granted, it took the coming of Christ and the establishment of the Church to really put women in their true position, but as far as there being an "awful conspiracy of men keeping the woman down"..that's totally bogus. That's just something feminist-minded women tell themselves in order to shirk responsibility for their lives, esp. the messes or disappointments in it. You can't blame your problems on men. If your life stinks..it's YOUR fault, not "the patriarchy's".

July 24, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Oh in my other post when I said "And women have been treated as subordinates, for as long as they have been around" I was very unclear but I meant,in erroneous peoples, and times, because similarly today's view on women is erroneous.

July 25, 2009 at 10:24 AM

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