Rebecca Flemming (Classics, Cambridge)
Department of History and Philosophy of Science
University of Cambridge Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RH
Thursday 15 January 2015 at 4:30pm
Medical and philosophical theories of generation from the
classical world are often classified according to whether the female as well as
the male produces 'seed', the substance which does the most important work in
procreation. Aristotle is usually identified as the most influential proponent
of the 'one-seed model', while Galen champions the 'two-seed' cause, and the
debate between them continues, and continues to matter, for centuries. At stake
here is not just theoretical efficiency – how well the full complexities of
parental resemblance are accounted for by the contending notions, for example –
but also, it has been suggested, politics and patriarchy. Two seeds are thus
better, more egalitarian, than one, because this model values the female role
in generation more positively. The lecture will argue that not only this
characterisation, but the division itself, is misleading. Another way must be
found to understand the key concepts in these foundational debates.
There will be tea before the lecture, at 4pm, and a
drinks reception afterwards, at 6pm.
The event is free and open to all.
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