Is Edith Stein's model of the characteristics and behaviour of woman, consonant with woman's physiology and endocrinology?

Abstract

In this paper we describe the physiology and endocrinology of the women's reproductive system as this refers to the function of the brain and the functioning of Oestrogen and Progesterone Receptors within the brain. We compare this to the description of woman's nature as described by the philosopher and psychologist Edith Stein, who has described the describing specific characteristics and behaviours of women, which fit woman for contributing to the professions as well as the family. We ask whether Stein's description of the characteristics of woman, is in fact consonant with the neuroscience which we have described. We conclude that these two concepts are consonant, in other words, the neuroscience of the female reproductive system and Edith Stein's characteristics of woman are not mutually exclusive and are two concepts which potentially support each other.

Keywords: Edith Stein - Oestrogen Receptors - Progesterone Receptors - human person – woman.