In the reading, "Are Women Morally Superior To Men?" written by Katha Pollitt, the writer attempts to answer different questions. The obvious and underlying question is whether woman are morally superior to men. More specifically, the writer is bringing up the idea of "difference femenism" and asking if it really takes place. "Difference feminism" is explained as woman naturally being superior to men because of their empathy, nurturance, nonhierachial relationships, and concern for equal. With "difference feminism" the previous is true, rather than men being superier due to cultural and societal norms.
So What?.
In this writer's conclusion I began to understand her purpose for writing the essay. Katha Pollitt states that everyone is responsible for " the environment, a more humane workplace, economic justice, social support for children." In turn, she asks the reader to do something to make the world a better place. I believe that her beliefs about "difference feminism" and woman superiority to men would be a part of making the world a better place, in her eyes. Therefore, I believe she wrote the essay to get us, the reader, to take on her beliefs to better our lives and the lives of others.
How did I get here?.
I believe that the writer used a good line of reasoning and writing that helped the reader follow her though process. The essay began by setting the mood and giving some history on different sex roles. She then brought the essay to contemporary times and began explaining her philosophy or beliefs. The writer's sentences led into each other in what I believe was an attempt to leave little room for the reader to stray from her though process. I had to stop a few times to see what I thought because I felt the writer was letting me think only of her own thoughts as they were written. .
What am I being asked to believe, and are the writer's recommendations true?.
I think the basic thing that I was being asked to believe in this reading is that men are individualist, autonomous, and competitive and woman are empathetic, nurturing, and group/relationship orientated.
