In fairness, it should be asked: What is the definition of...

[Saint Frankenstein]

English also speaks of "mankind", "womankind" is a term which at least I never heard.

It's because both sexes are included in "mankind", in English. It just means humanity as a whole. It's the same as how plurals (as an in groups of people) in Spanish are in the masculine. It's just a linguistic rule. It's not some sexist thing.

 

[Watchmen]

A Man?

Another thread in this Debate Forum, asks "What is the definition of a woman?" It has had 8,160 views, and 542 responses -- which I think is a bunch. So it apparently aroused some interest.

But why has nobody yet thought to ask the corollary question: "What is the definition of a man?"

There was a time in human history, not so very long ago, when a woman who didn't behave "like a woman" could be considered a witch, and hanged, burned, squashed, drowned or whatever seemed most appropriate. To not be the mother of children was once considered to a very odd state of affairs for a woman. And to even think about being a leader, meddling in politics, pretending to be able to assess guilt in a trial, or worse, to participate in a trial as a litigator were simply unthinkable. Now, they can indeed aspire to be Presidents and Prime Ministers (and in many countries -- alas not the US -- are just that).

So? What is a man? (And I don't think Rudyard Kipling's "If" is a good place to start, even though it ends with the line: "And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

Why wasn’t it asked? Because it was not a key moment in a Supreme Court nominee confirmation hearing.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

A Man?

Another thread in this Debate Forum, asks "What is the definition of a woman?" It has had 8,160 views, and 542 responses -- which I think is a bunch. So it apparently aroused some interest.

But why has nobody yet thought to ask the corollary question: "What is the definition of a man?"

There was a time in human history, not so very long ago, when a woman who didn't behave "like a woman" could be considered a witch, and hanged, burned, squashed, drowned or whatever seemed most appropriate. To not be the mother of children was once considered to a very odd state of affairs for a woman. And to even think about being a leader, meddling in politics, pretending to be able to assess guilt in a trial, or worse, to participate in a trial as a litigator were simply unthinkable. Now, they can indeed aspire to be Presidents and Prime Ministers (and in many countries -- alas not the US -- are just that).

So? What is a man? (And I don't think Rudyard Kipling's "If" is a good place to start, even though it ends with the line: "And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

I think the way I would put it is that these terms don't really posses a definition in the sense of having one or another strict meaning. They are shortcuts we take in communication where most people agree on the general idea which gets more complex depending on who you are talking to.
Ultimately language is also an approximation of the ideas we wish to convey and a useful tool.

 

[firedragon]

To not be the mother of children was once considered to a very odd state of affairs for a woman.

Thats interesting. Does that mean a woman cannot be in a care giving position? Like lets say with an adopted child?

I would like to read up on this. Please share a books name or something.

Thank you very much.

 

[ChristineM]

Do you think that a man whose testosterone drops below 900 stops being a man?

So according to @Kfox my husband is not a man because he has undergone a radical prostatectomy and has a low testosterone count

Im not sure i can agree with him.

 

[ChristineM]

The ideal adult male- well built, healthy and valiant, who exudes vitality, vigor and masculinity- who fights to claim and protect what he knows is his.

Whoever wrote that doesn't know much about the typical male.

 

[Kfox]

Do you think that a man whose testosterone drops below 900 stops being a man?

Or if it goes above 1200? I was just giving approximate numbers compared to female numbers; I was not trying to be exact. Even 900 is a heck of a lot more than 25

 

[Kfox]

So according to @Kfox my husband is not a man because he has undergone a radical prostatectomy.

Im not sure i can agree with him.

I was giving examples between a man vs woman. Obviously medical procedures are exempt; your husband does not become a female due to his surgery. According to science, humans are mammals and all mammals are either male, female, or Unisex (deformity) I wouldn't call his surgery a deformity, and it certainly doesn't make him female so obviously remaining male is the only other option.

 

[ChristineM]

your husband does not become a female due to his surgery

I am so glad about that, however that was the impression your post give.

I wouldn't call his surgery a deformity

No, nor would I

 

[Sheldon]

A Man?

Another thread in this Debate Forum, asks "What is the definition of a woman?" It has had 8,160 views, and 542 responses -- which I think is a bunch. So it apparently aroused some interest.

But why has nobody yet thought to ask the corollary question: "What is the definition of a man?"

There was a time in human history, not so very long ago, when a woman who didn't behave "like a woman" could be considered a witch, and hanged, burned, squashed, drowned or whatever seemed most appropriate. To not be the mother of children was once considered to a very odd state of affairs for a woman. And to even think about being a leader, meddling in politics, pretending to be able to assess guilt in a trial, or worse, to participate in a trial as a litigator were simply unthinkable. Now, they can indeed aspire to be Presidents and Prime Ministers (and in many countries -- alas not the US -- are just that).

So? What is a man? (And I don't think Rudyard Kipling's "If" is a good place to start, even though it ends with the line: "And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

Good question, good idea for a thread, though Kipling's poem is one of my favourites, I'd have to agree it's not an answer to this question. Kipling was a flawed and anachronistic character, as are we all of course.

 

[Brickjectivity]

But why has nobody yet thought to ask the corollary question: "What is the definition of a man?"

Turns out we most likely don't want to accept any definition that doesn't please us. Why should we accept a definition?

 

[Aštra’el]

“What is a man?”

“A miserable little pile of secrets.”
-Vlad Dracula Tepes, 1792

__

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Or if it goes above 1200? I was just giving approximate numbers compared to female numbers; I was not trying to be exact. Even 900 is a heck of a lot more than 25

So you were giving typicalities?

• Typically, a man has testosterone levels between 900 and 1200
• Typically, a man has XY chromosomes
• Typically, a man has a prostate

Right?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

A Man?

Another thread in this Debate Forum, asks "What is the definition of a woman?" It has had 8,160 views, and 542 responses -- which I think is a bunch. So it apparently aroused some interest.

But why has nobody yet thought to ask the corollary question: "What is the definition of a man?"

There was a time in human history, not so very long ago, when a woman who didn't behave "like a woman" could be considered a witch, and hanged, burned, squashed, drowned or whatever seemed most appropriate. To not be the mother of children was once considered to a very odd state of affairs for a woman. And to even think about being a leader, meddling in politics, pretending to be able to assess guilt in a trial, or worse, to participate in a trial as a litigator were simply unthinkable. Now, they can indeed aspire to be Presidents and Prime Ministers (and in many countries -- alas not the US -- are just that).

So? What is a man? (And I don't think Rudyard Kipling's "If" is a good place to start, even though it ends with the line: "And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

"Man" is a gender identity.

It is often - but not always - reflected in "masculine" gender expression.

What constitutes "masculine" gender expression varies over time and by culture, social group, etc.

That's really it.

 

[Clara Tea]

A Man?

Another thread in this Debate Forum, asks "What is the definition of a woman?" It has had 8,160 views, and 542 responses -- which I think is a bunch. So it apparently aroused some interest.

But why has nobody yet thought to ask the corollary question: "What is the definition of a man?"

There was a time in human history, not so very long ago, when a woman who didn't behave "like a woman" could be considered a witch, and hanged, burned, squashed, drowned or whatever seemed most appropriate. To not be the mother of children was once considered to a very odd state of affairs for a woman. And to even think about being a leader, meddling in politics, pretending to be able to assess guilt in a trial, or worse, to participate in a trial as a litigator were simply unthinkable. Now, they can indeed aspire to be Presidents and Prime Ministers (and in many countries -- alas not the US -- are just that).

So? What is a man? (And I don't think Rudyard Kipling's "If" is a good place to start, even though it ends with the line: "And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

Christians haven't gotten around to burning Kipling's books yet????

Banning Books and Burning Heretics

"Kipling was listed among the “heretics” in G. K. Chesterton’s book of that name, condemned by Chesterton, ironically, for his cosmopolitanism and his belief in the globalism of the Pax Britannica" Quotation (website above) by Joseph Pearce "(A native of England, Joseph Pearce is Director of Book Publishing at the Augustine Institute, and editor of the St. Austin Review, editor of Faith & Culture, series editor of the Ignatius Critical Editions, senior instructor with Homeschool Connections, and senior contributor at the Imaginative Conservative)."

Hillary Clinton aspired to be a leader in the US, but was caught red-handed when her campaign manager's email was hacked, presumably by Russians, though likely without the Russian government's consent, exposing that she got debate questions before a debate (essentially getting a leg up on the election, which could have toppled the leadership of the US....treason or at least sedition). Perhaps if we found a different woman to lead the US (one that wouldn't threaten to nuke Russia on the slightest hint of email hacking collusion), she might become president? Lately, Hillary has been pushing to silence disinformation about covid, saying that it would hamper vaccine efforts and, thereby, spread the pandemic (now epidemic). I believe that charismatic leaders, like JFK, convinced the masses without taking away the American way (free speech/press), but by the simple application of logic and pride. So, Hillary doesn't have to take away American freedom to achieve her ends.

WHEN JOHN WAYNE MET MAUDE:

Wayne said that he never discusses religion with women, and never discusses politics with women. Maude asked "what do you discuss with women?" Wayne said "I never discuss what I discuss with women with women."

The "tough guy" image (Conservative Republican) shunned women's rights.

Judeo Christian bibles assert that women shouldn't speak. Their jobs, apparently, are to make babies and cook. Politics is off-limits. However, there are some churches that allow women now.

 

[Clara Tea]

It's because both sexes are included in "mankind", in English. It just means humanity as a whole. It's the same as how plurals (as an in groups of people) in Spanish are in the masculine. It's just a linguistic rule. It's not some sexist thing.

Yet, the bible clearly says that women shouldn't speak.

 

[Clara Tea]

So you were giving typicalities?

• Typically, a man has testosterone levels between 900 and 1200
• Typically, a man has XY chromosomes
• Typically, a man has a prostate

Right?

Ignoring gender orientation.

What do we call a woman who has a hysterectomy (bleeding) or breast removal (cancer)? Is she still a woman? What if the woman is then put on tamoxifen (to reduce female hormones) to suppress certain types of breast cancer?

What about those who have both male and female hormones?

I think that there are gray areas in defining men and women. Some has to do with psychology, and not anything to do with physiology.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Ignoring gender orientation.

What do we call a woman who has a hysterectomy (bleeding) or breast removal (cancer)? Is she still a woman? What if the woman is then put on tamoxifen (to reduce female hormones) to suppress certain types of breast cancer?

What about those who have both male and female hormones?

I think that there are gray areas in defining men and women. Some has to do with psychology, and not anything to do with physiology.

I think you misunderstood my post. I wasn't making an argument; I was asking @Kfox if I understood their position (which I don't agree with).

 

[Kfox]

I am so glad about that, however that was the impression your post give.

You've obviously misunderstood the point I was making; glad we could clear that up.

 

[Kfox]

So you were giving typicalities?

• Typically, a man has testosterone levels between 900 and 1200
• Typically, a man has XY chromosomes
• Typically, a man has a prostate

Right?

Yes.