Aristotle and sexuality?

[monica]

I was just wondering what his attitudes towards it were-because I was wondering what Alexander was taught about it.So,help?:)Thanks!

[marcus]

I very much doubt that Aristotle taught Alexander anything about sex. We don't know for sure exactly what he *did* teach Alexander, but sex education was not on the Ancient Greek curriculum.So, I am fairly sure that Aristotle's views on sex were the same as any other Greek's, but it won't have made the slightest difference to Alexander.All the bestMarcus

[John.]

You must have missed those lectures, Marcus. Aristotle goes on and on about sex, describing the various penis sizes of animals, "the penis in the male seal is exceptionally large." And uses: "the penis of the camel is so sinewy that bow strings are made out of it." On and on he goes, coming up with the craziest theories, like: the longer the penis, the less potent the sperm, since the sperm cools off after travelling such a long distance, and thus becomes less potent.If Alexander WAS paying attention to Aristotle's ramblings about sex, it might explain why he waited so long to have children, since Aristotle claimed that a man produced the strongest sperm, and therefore the strongest children, when he was in his 30's or 40's. I think his reasoning was before that age, the sperm was too hot; after that age it was too cold, or something crazy like that.I wonder how much influence Aristotle DID have on Alexander's sex life?John

[marcus]

You got me there, John, point taken.(Incidentally, there weren't any lectures for me to miss on that, as I avoided any philosophy courses like the plague) :-)However, I still stand by my original answer which was to a question about Aristotle's *attitude* to sex, as opposed to the Biolody 1.01 you've quite rightly pointed out. If Alexander went to Mieza when he was 13(ish), I have no doubt that he already knew everything there was to know about sex, and the prevailing attitudes, and had already formed his own opinions about it.All the best, Marcus

[John.]

I was referring to Aristotle's lectures, since the only writings of Aristotle to survive were his lectures, or lecture notes. - I don't blame you for avoiding the philosophy classes. Who needs the extra confusion?I think I did give a good excuse for Alexander waiting so long to have children, though. I distinctly remember Aristotle "lecturing" that a man produced the strongest offspring when he was in his 30's or 40's. Alexander being the perfectionest, perhaps waited for that reason?John

[marcus]

Well, yes, John (why did I *know* you would pick up on that), but the only time I was likely to be taught anything about Aristotle was in a philosophy class. But you are right, of course, that his natural history stuff isn't exactly philosophy (in the way we think of it).But I certainly like your theory as to why Alexander didn't breed earlier. I won't say whether I agree or not, but I can't fault your hypothesis! :-)All the bestMarcus

[jan]

Hi John, That certainly helps me to understand my dream this morning. Pulling strings...I dreamt of a camel! For some reason or other, my mind is in Iraq a lot now. I find it fascinating to learn about bowstrings made from a camel's penis. Makes me think of Aristotle Onassis and his barstools.I have had two dreams which relate to Baghdad and Iraq this week. One just before the attack on the Red Cross and this morning a dream in which a camel figures prominently. Makes me wonder...