THE IMPACT OF ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY ON THE PERCEPTION OF WOMEN: PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS, MYTHOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS, AND SOCIETAL CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

This study analyzes the philosophical, mythological, and social dimensions of the conceptual framework regarding women in ancient philosophy, along with the effects of the perception of women shaped throughout history that persist to this day. Plato’s equality-based approach, which considers integrating women into the public sphere under certain conditions, is evaluated comparatively with Aristotle’s biological determinism, which defines women as inherently deficient and passive beings. Mythological figures such as Pandora and Helen are utilized to illustrate how women are characterized as dangerous, chaotic, and seductive, a perspective that merges with philosophical texts to culturally justify the exclusion of women from the political sphere. Through the examples of Athens and Sparta, it is observed that women assumed different roles depending on the political structures of these societies. Additionally, the legacy of these ancient perspectives is examined in relation to Islamic thought and Medieval Christian theology; modern feminist readings are employed to discuss the historical process of women’s subjectivation. Furthermore, the influence of ancient philosophy’s views on women on today’s gender norms is emphasized, and the necessity of critically reevaluating philosophical traditions is highlighted. This study reveals that gender inequality is not solely a sociological issue but also a multilayered problem with philosophical and cultural roots.