The Darwinian approach to sex is often attacked as being antifeminist, but that is just wrong. Indeed, the accusation is baffling on the face of it, especially to the many feminist women who have developed and tested the theory. The core of feminism is surely the goal of ending sexual discrimination and exploitation, an ethical and political position that is in no danger of being refuted by any foreseeable scientific theory or discovery.

The Darwinian approach to sex is often attacked as being antifeminist, but that is just wrong. Indeed, the accusation is baffling on the face of it, especially to the many feminist women who have developed and tested the theory. The core of feminism is surely the goal of ending sexual discrimination and exploitation, an ethical and political position that is in no danger of being refuted by any foreseeable scientific theory or discovery.

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This quote from Steven Pinker's "How the Mind Works" challenges a common misconception that Darwinian theories of sex are inherently antifeminist. It highlights the disconnect between the scientific theory of evolution and the political and ethical goals of feminism. Pinker argues persuasively that conflating a scientific model with ideological opposition overlooks both the contributions of feminist scholars to evolutionary biology and the fundamental aims of feminism itself. He clearly delineates feminism’s core as an ethical and political movement focused on ending sexual discrimination and exploitation, goals that are not only independent of scientific theories but unlikely to be undermined by future discoveries. This distinction is crucial because it fosters a more nuanced understanding of how science and social movements interact. Viewing Darwinian evolutionary perspectives as a threat to feminism risks dismissing the valuable insights derived from studying human behavior and biology within an evolutionary framework. Furthermore, this perspective acknowledges the participation of feminist scientists in advancing the theory, which serves as a reminder that scientific theories are not monolithically aligned with specific ideologies. By encouraging a separation between scientific inquiry and political values, Pinker advocates for dialogue and intellectual rigor rather than straw man accusations. Ultimately, it is a call for harmonizing scientific understanding with ethical commitments, recognizing that the quest for knowledge about human nature need not conflict with championing equal rights and social justice.

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May 29, 2025

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