Aristotle Quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
““When the pioneers of university training for women demanded that women should be admitted to the universities, the cry went up at once: ‘Why should women want to know about Aristotle?’ The answer is NOT that all women would be the better for knowing about Aristotle … but simply: ‘What women want as a class is irrelevant. I want to know about Aristotle. It is true that many women care nothing about him, and a great many male undergraduates turn pale and faint at the thought of him – but I, eccentric individual that I am, do want to know about Aristotle, and I submit that there is nothing in my shape or bodily functions which need prevent my knowing about him.””
About This Quote
Individual curiosity outweighs gendered assumptions; knowledge is personal, not collective.
In simple terms: People should learn what they want, regardless of gender.
Pursue knowledge for yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- classroom
- policy debate
- personal growth
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you let stereotypes dictate your learning?
- How can you support others' choices?
Societal pressure may still limit access.