EPISODE · Feb 22, 2026 · 1H 4M
The Nature of the Sexes | Tomás Bogardus (with Stephen Kershnar)
from Brain in a Vat · host Brain in a Vat
Tomás Bogardus joins to discuss his book "The Nature of the Sexes" and argues for a reproductive-functional account of biological sex. According to Bogardus, males and females are defined by the reproductive function their bodies are structured to perform: producing sperm or eggs. Even when that function is not realized and no sperm or eggs are produced, a person’s sex remains the same, because it is grounded in biological organization. To defend this view, Bogardus considers intersex and DSD cases, critiques contextualist accounts that treat sex as domain-dependent, and argues for a unified meaning of “male” and “female.” The conversation later turns to whether sex is essential or changeable, as well as debates about pronouns, sports, and medical interventions for minors.[00:00] Introduction to the Debate on Sex[00:23] The Delivery Room Thought Experiment: "It’s a Boy/Girl"[02:04] Sex as Reproductive Function[07:41 ]Gametes, Competitor Theories, and the Non-Producers Objection[11:29] Intersex & DSD Cases[19:23] Contextualism and Cluster Concepts: Sex in Sports, Bathrooms, Dating?[26:23] Conjunction Reduction & Animal Examples: Rooster vs Crocodile[30:24] One Unified Meaning of Sex Terms[32:06] Are ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ Social Roles or Biological Sexes?[37:15] Is Sex Essential or Contingent? Souls, Brains, and Hylomorphism[42:23] Surgery and Embryo Gene Editing[47:15] Fairness in Sports/Prisons[54:38] Should Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Be Criminalized?[01:04:09] ConclusionRead "The Nature of the Sexes: Why Biology Matters": https://www.routledge.com/The-Nature-of-the-Sexes-Why-Biology-Matters/Bogardus/p/book/9781041029533Subscribe to the Brain in a Vat Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/
What this episode covers
Tomás Bogardus joins to discuss his book "The Nature of the Sexes" and argues for a reproductive-functional account of biological sex. According to Bogardus, males and females are defined by the reproductive function their bodies are structured to perform: producing sperm or eggs. Even when that function is not realized and no sperm or eggs are produced, a person’s sex remains the same, because it is grounded in biological organization. To defend this view, Bogardus considers intersex and DSD cases, critiques contextualist accounts that treat sex as domain-dependent, and argues for a unified meaning of “male” and “female.” The conversation later turns to whether sex is essential or changeable, as well as debates about pronouns, sports, and medical interventions for minors.[00:00] Introduction to the Debate on Sex[00:23] The Delivery Room Thought Experiment: "It’s a Boy/Girl"[02:04] Sex as Reproductive Function[07:41 ]Gametes, Competitor Theories, and the Non-Producers Objection[11:29] Intersex & DSD Cases[19:23] Contextualism and Cluster Concepts: Sex in Sports, Bathrooms, Dating?[26:23] Conjunction Reduction & Animal Examples: Rooster vs Crocodile[30:24] One Unified Meaning of Sex Terms[32:06] Are ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ Social Roles or Biological Sexes?[37:15] Is Sex Essential or Contingent? Souls, Brains, and Hylomorphism[42:23] Surgery and Embryo Gene Editing[47:15] Fairness in Sports/Prisons[54:38] Should Gender-Affirming Medical Care for Minors Be Criminalized?[01:04:09] ConclusionRead "The Nature of the Sexes: Why Biology Matters": https://www.routledge.com/The-Nature-of-the-Sexes-Why-Biology-Matters/Bogardus/p/book/9781041029533Subscribe to the Brain in a Vat Substack: https://braininavat.substack.com/
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The Nature of the Sexes | Tomás Bogardus (with Stephen Kershnar)
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