If it happens that a man knows a
little something about a certain skill and a woman not, or again she knows
something and he not, that suggests no difference in the education of either.
But about the all-important things let not one know and the other not, but let
them know the same things.
If you ask me what doctrine
produces such an education, I shall reply that as without philosophy no man
would be properly educated, so no woman would be. I do not mean that women
should possess technical skill and acuteness in argument. It would be quite
superfluous, since they will use philosophy for the ends of their life as
women. Even in men I do not prize this accomplishment too highly.
I only urge that they should
acquire from philosophy goodness in conduct and nobility of character. Now in
very truth philosophy is training in nobility of character, and nothing else.
Different
people may have many particular gifts, and needs, and vocations, and so they
may accordingly learn many different things, in many different ways. Men and
women can find themselves following a variety of paths, though they are all ultimately
in search of the same destination.
Whatever
they may do, they are called to do so with a shared humanity, all made to be equally
inspired by an awareness of what is true, good, and beautiful. A common
education in virtue is what must bind all their differences together.
So of
all the things we should learn, what would be the most important? I have heard
it said that reading and writing are most necessary, or math and science, or the
skill of what they currently call “critical thinking”. Yes, any man or woman
can put these to good use, though they will produce nothing of worth without
first knowing right from wrong. This is what will give everything else
direction.
Philosophy,
properly understood, is what we all need. But so that there is no confusion
here, Musonius tells us that he does not merely mean the power of persuasion,
the ability to craft convincing arguments, or a mastery of clever and profound
words.
A woman
doesn’t really need that in life, though before we immediately assume that
Musonius is being just another sexist, he reminds us that a man doesn’t really
that in life either. It may be quite helpful for a politician, or a lawyer, or
an academic, but it will make little difference when it comes to living well as
a human being.
No, the
philosophy we all need will go far deeper than that, in the sense that it will
determine the very content of our character. It will not exist to impress
others, or to win worldly profit, or to humiliate our enemies. The philosophy
we all need is about building habits of good character. How wonderful it would
be if more of the politicians, lawyers, and academics could have that!
Consider
all the qualities we like to say are essential for a happy life, but then look
again more carefully, informed by the needs of Nature, and most of those
qualities will suddenly seem rather shallow and meaningless.
We tell
our children they can be doctors, and astronauts, and CEO’s, and one or two
might even be elected as Presidents of the United States, if they really want
to, if they work at it hard enough. Some may indeed be called to those roles,
though that isn’t what will make them happy, and that isn’t what will make
their lives worth living. Look beyond the preference to the principle, look
past the particular to the universal. First and foremost, possess a soul that
is able to understand and to love.
When men
and women equally become philosophers, ones who actually live up to that first human
vocation, who will seek to practice it in all they do, we are teaching what
needs to be taught.
Written in 6/1999
IMAGE: An Allegory of Philosophy
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