I didn't downvote, but the downvotes are probably a result of the brevity and slightly vulgar nature ("cut the crap") of your response. I do actually agree with

I didn't downvote, but the downvotes are probably a result of the brevity and slightly vulgar nature ("cut the crap") of your response. I do actually agree with you though. I was hoping others would bring it up too, but as with all "problematic" historical icons, we're supposed to accept that even though he was extremely wrong about women, it was just a byproduct of his society and not worth discussing about the person as a whole. I think that's a huge cop-out though. I don't think we should write him off or stop reading his works, but sexism is a real flaw in a person's character. It's worth wondering why he was so eager to tell his brother that intelligent women are liars not worthy of relationships. Was he emotionally hurt by someone in particular and lashing out against all women? Does he just like feeling superiority over women as a class of people, and therefore accepted certain norms of patriarchy without questioning because it benefitted him? The former reason is sad, but understandable, while the latter would make me wonder if those norms are reinforced in his works as well.