Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is our gender determined by nature or nurture?
Position1 of 3
Gender is determined by biological factors
Argument1 of 3

Innatism

Innatism is the notion that the human mind is equipped with certain hereditary ideas or knowledge at the point of birth

The argument

Different genders are born with innate behavioral differences. These differences aid the differing and specific roles which genders are biologically designed for within society. Christians who hold traditional views believe that men and women are created equal in the sight of God. They believe that whilst being equally important, they are also created to be different with different roles in society and the Christian church.

Context

Innatism is a philosophy made famous by philosophers such as Plato and Descartes and is the claim of an instinctual, unlearned knowledge base which influences behavior. The Innatism philosophy extends to gender identity in society, claiming biological gender plays an active role in shaping personality. A belief in Innatism is often tied to a belief in religious values.

Premises

[P1]Different genders are born with innate behavioural differences. [P2] These differences fit the specific roles each gender is biologically designed for within society. [P3] Traditional Christian belief holds that men and women, though equal before God, are created different with different roles in society and the church. [C] Therefore, by innatism, gender is determined by biological factors.

Counter-arguments

Forming evidence for specific innate knowledge, completely devoid from socialization is incredibly difficult, especially for a characteristic as defining as lgender. Gender is not universal, in that different genders play varying roles across different cultures, with many cultures recognizing more than two genders in society.

Rejecting the premises

Gender is not universal; different genders play varying roles across different cultures, so innate gender roles cannot exist.