Edith Stein on the Highest Expression of the Feminine Genius

Abstract

The feminine genius is the ability of women to make a sincere gift of themselves to others. Keeping in mind the spiritual nature of woman’s vocation, that is, to be spiritual wife and spiritual mother, Edith Stein unpacks what it means for women to make a sincere gift of themselves to others in family, professional, and religious life through their personal outlook, active sympathy, intuitive grasp, and emotional perception. She also shows how the feminine genius, rooted in woman’s spousal and maternal nature and vocation, can become perverted when the flesh practices an unrestrained rule over the soul. This unrestrained rule of the flesh over the soul is expressed in the heart’s hatred, anger, envy, etc. To root out these obstacles, obstacles which prevent her from building loving relationships, women need to spiritualize their bodies by cultivating love, peace, gentleness, etc., in their hearts and