Mothers and Swiss Army Knives: Seeing the Difference

Mothers and Swiss Army Knives: Seeing the Difference

Few of us reach for our Swiss army knife when we simply want to cut something. Aristotle asserts that nature is not like the Delphic smiths, makers of the original Swiss army knife, “a single knife for all kinds of use,” a knife with which, clearly, he was not...
A Woman’s Courage in Childbearing

A Woman’s Courage in Childbearing

“the courage… of a man and of a woman, are not…the same.” Aristotle, Politics Not many nights ago, my wife shared something remarkable with me. Here is basically what she said: In battle, or other such dramatic circumstances, a man might face the possibility of death,...
My Wife Has What I Need

My Wife Has What I Need

“Men and women, however, live together not only to procreate children but also to have whatever is needed for life. Indeed, from the beginning, family duties are distinct; some are proper to the husband, others to the wife. Thus mutual needs are provided for, when...
Mothers Love More

Mothers Love More

“…mothers love more than fathers do.” — Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics   I couldn’t decide whether this assertion made me angry. To be fair, from the context it is clear that Aristotle is speaking of love for infants. I thought of my own experience....
Parents Ruling by Love and Age

Parents Ruling by Love and Age

“For the begetter is the ruler by reason of love and age…” Aristotle, Politics Perhaps we do not normally think of parents as rulers. Aristotle did. He seems to think that after giving children life there is nothing more important than giving them direction: direction...

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