The reverse of Socrates: Xanthippe and the place of women in the history of Philosophy

Authors

Keywords:

Xanthippe. Socrates. Plato. Gender issues.

Abstract

In the history of Philosophy, Socrates is represented as an individual with a firm and temperate character, although intellectually restless, whose investigations inaugurate reflections of a properly ethical nature within the scope of ancient thought. Its historical position is considered so central that he is chosen as the term for the periodization of Ancient Philosophy (with its philosophers currently organized around the curious notion of “pre-Socratics”). His wife, Xanthippe, on the other hand, is represented by ancient biographical tradition as ill-tempered, willful, and intemperate. In several anecdotes, she embodies the opposite of everything expected of a philosopher. In order to reflect on some constructions based on gender aspects within the history of Philosophy, we will analyze the metonymic value that representations of Socrates, Xanthippe and other female figures from his surroundings acquire in philosophical works, especially those composed by Plato.

Author Biographies

Rafael Guimarães Tavares da Silva, Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE)

Mestrado e Doutorado pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Letras: Estudos Literários (FALE/UFMG). Professor de Literatura da Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE), Campus Aracati, e membro permanente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Filosofia dessa mesma instituição.

Sara Camila Barbosa dos Anjos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

Mestranda no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Letras: Estudos Literários (FALE/UFMG), com interesse de pesquisa nas áreas de literatura, mitologia, tradução, teatro, estudos e gênero e recepção clássica.

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Published

2024-07-08

Issue

No. 32 (2024)

Section

Dossier Transpositions in Antiquity Studies(s)

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