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But have we not here fallen into a contradiction? for we were

saying that different natures should have different pursuits. How

then can men and women have the same? And is not the proposal

inconsistent with our notion of the division of labour?-These

objections are no sooner raised than answered; for, according to

Plato, there is no organic difference between men and women, but

only the accidental one that men beget and women bear children.

Following the analogy of the other animals, he contends that all

natural gifts are scattered about indifferently among both sexes,

though there may be a superiority of degree on the part of the

men. The objection on the score of decency to their taking part

in the same gymnastic exercises, is met by Plato's assertion that

the existing feeling is a matter of habit.