Die Spannung zwischen Religion und Moderne am Denkort von „Geschlecht“. Ein philosophischer Klärungsversuch

The paper analyzes the current controversy on “gender” in light of the overall tension between the Catholic Church and modernity. Examining claims, backed by the magisterium, that any use of the concept of “gender” is incompatible with Christian teachings, and – on the other hand – theories representing the main targets of this critique, the paper exposes theoretical shortcomings on both sides: While the sweeping rejection of “genderism” is based on a naturalistic fallacy, an overdrawn constructivism fails to acknowledge the complex interrelation of the biology of human bodies and social perceptions. Referring to core conceptions of Kant' s moral philosophy, such as “person” and “dignity”, the paper suggests a more nuanced approach. It further argues that, rather than sweepingly rejecting the legal principle of “gender mainstreaming”, the Church needs to focus more carefully on the discrimination of women in the public sphere.