Feminist Thought
Bio-Determinism
and Feminist Critiques Thereof
Readings: Frank York, “Gender Differences are Real” and Anne Fausto-Sterling, “The
Five Sexes”
Frank
York
Who
is Frank York? What are his credentials?
National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality
What
is York arguing about gender differences?
What
is his evidence that gender differences “are real”?
Does
his argument ring true to you? Why or
why?
How
would a feminist empiricist argue with him?
What
would a cultural feminist say about his argument?
Why
is York arguing so fervently in favor of inherent, biologically determined
gender differences?
If
the biological differences he asserts are true, what would that mean for the
world, how the world is set-up, public policy, etc.?
Professor
of Biology and Gender Studies, Brown University
Author
several books on gender difference, gender assignment
What
is her argument in “The Five Sexes”?
How
does she support her argument?
Does
her argument ring true to you? Why or
why not?
How
would a bio-determinist or functionalist argue with Fausto-Sterling’s
claims?