Albert Joshua L.

Laroza March 7, 2023

Preliminary Exam Seminar on Contemporary Philosophy

1. Why is the female culture a candidate for a more inclusive political emotion?
To answer this question, it is important first to observe the male culture based on Nussbaum’s
observation drawn from the narrative of The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. On the one hand,
Nussbaum claims that male culture is seen in a war-like manner condition. Male culture does not
view kindness which is essential to political emotion to be an inherent human virtue but rather
views it as a contingent choice. Males are egoistic and give it more priority over other people
which then would imply that there exists some sort of exclusivity so much so that an unbreachable
barrier is placed between the individual and those who are around him.
On the other hand, Female culture as to what Nussbaum had observed puts a greater value on the
notion of friendship. The relationship between Susanna and the countess is a significant example
of this wherein both characters formed an almost immediate bond by recognizing the
commonalities they share between them rather than their male equivalents, who would by their
resemblances provoke a thirst for competition rather than cooperation kind of response. There is
also little to no evidence of hierarchal order and class division among women. They are capable
of working together despite their differences going beyond their class differences in a cooperative
effort in accomplishing their goals. Men, however, are observed to have a tendency on working
individually and if a goal involves a cooperative kind of effort, they will resort to a hierarchal form
of roles. Hence the feminine character or the female culture demonstrated inclusive emotions
as they exhibited their cooperation and collective effort in accomplishing their goals and their
attitudes towards fellow women.
Nussbaum suggests then that political emotion must therefore exhibit feminine characteristics if it
is to be conditioned inclusively. Collective efforts must be seen as such that we should go away
from emphasizing hierarchy and focus on the bond rather than the division between superiors and
inferiors. Through inclusivity, there is an avenue for equalizing people among the same level of
value and worth leaving no one behind.
2. Explain what Cherubino as a character contribute to the realization of a more egalitarian
political regime.
The character of Cherubino is identified as the male character in the Marriage of Figaro whose
voice is performed by a female mezzo-soprano voice. It is noted by Nussbaum that the little detail
regarding this has a deeper meaning. It has been mentioned that Male culture is described by
constant power struggle, competition, and hierarchy which is signified by the opera male voices.
Cherubino however, is different in the way that his character was sung by a female voice which
can be noted as a prefiguration of his character being brought up differently in a conventional male
culture that flourishes in hierarchal status. The narrative focuses on Cherubino’s masculinity and
the evidence of his stature and virility.
Among the male characters of Mozart’s play, it is only Cherubino who emphasized the notion of
love and emotion. He was expressive of his sexual orientation and infatuations which were
characteristics that no other male in the play could display. The way he expresses his emotions by
blushing at the peak of excitement is evidence of vulnerability. Among the male characters,
Cherubino’s character is unique in that although he was expressive of his sentiments through his
works, he retains his masculinity. He dismisses the value of struggling for superiority and values
listening to other women rather than teaching which his male counterparts would have done.
Nussbaum views the character of Cherubino as an exemplar of an egalitarian political regime
seeing the collectivity of its individual members as equals. This view disregards the notion of
imposing superiority but rather focuses on learning and listening to one another. In an egalitarian
political regime, it holds value toward each of its individual merits no matter how great or small.
It gives an avenue to be open in an expression in order to open its inclusive embrace. A kind of
Political regime nourishes positive emotion instead of repressing it.

3. What type of fraternity is needed in order to create a positive political culture?

According to Nussbaum, a “feminine type of fraternity” is needed to create a positive political
culture. There is a call for softening the toughened culture which dwells upon the power struggle,
the pursuit of superiority, and hierarchy. Nussbaum claims that a fraternity where each member
constantly tries to outdo the other cannot work. It is not concerned with the collective progression
of everyone and the fraternity but with acquiring his own pride and ego. With the disposition of
this kind of fraternity, it cannot progress in the way that a feminine fraternity could.
From here, Nussbaum proposes seven (7) emotional dispositions which the latter can nurture in
citizens. (1) Feminine Fraternity shall teach people that in every war that the intention is not only
for self-defense but will lead only to unreasonable tragedies and damaging morality. (2) It would
teach people to limit the glorification of honor particularly those who only use it to make a name
for themselves through brutish tendencies. (3) This fraternity must educate citizens to move away
from a political rule that forces its citizens to go to war in a bid of expanding and taking care of its
interests. (4) It shall teach a kind of patriotism that recognizes the qualities of its nation as it is
without the need of creating competition against other nations. (5) After all is disposed of loving
one’s country without having recourse to hating another, such disposition opens up an avenue for
fraternal interconnectedness with other nations. (6) Such a fraternity will develop society in a way
that no one gets left behind, and the poor are not exploited for the prosperity of those who are
already rich. (7) This fraternity shall also inculcate among its citizens useful and productive
activities.