The Menstrual Cycles: Philosophical and Ethical Insights in a Powerful Tool

Abstract

The dismissal of menstrual cycles from the philosophical discussions about how we get knowledge of the world rests on the assumption of a stable and unchanging self, which supposedly conflicts with the inherent dynamicity of changing cycles. Yet, instead of being an epistemological obstacle, this dynamicity can be a tool to better grasp our continuous state of change. It affects the perception of the world and the development of ethical relations with others. Passing through stages in which one feels particularly vulnerable is a reminder of human vulnerability to environmental and social changes. The awareness of this vulnerability can ground decision-making leading to precautionary actions. Plus, readiness to change and flexibility are crucial elements of ethics in a world in which we constantly need to adapt ourselves. The experience of menstruation sheds light on a conception of the self as an ever-changing, vulnerable and adaptive agent.