Caitlyn Jenner is a He or an It

Thanks to Wylted for accepting, and for leading off with a thought-provoking round. I hope that the virtue of my arguments is not overshadowed by my posting problems in round 2. Due to character constraints, I will post arguments this round and rebuttals in round 4. Arguments 1. Accuracy and Objectivity To affirm the resolution, I must show that "he" or "it" is *more* accurate and objective than "she" in describing Caitlyn Jenner. This does not mean that "she" cannot be accurate or objective, only that "he" or "it" must be more so. 1a. Accuracy To determine which descriptor is more accurate, each must be examined for exclusivity. The more exclusive the descriptor, the more accurate it is. For example, when describing Barack Obama, I could use the term "leader" or "president". "President" is the more exclusive of the two, still describing a "leader" while excluding other types of leaders like kings and mayors. Therefore, "president" would be the *more* accurate descriptor. 1b. Objectivity The objectivity of a descriptor can be determined by examining the level of personal feeling and opinion the descriptor encompasses. The more feeling and opinion, the less objectivity. When describing Obama, I could use the term "good" or "consistent". "Consistent" is the more objective of the two, as it can be supported by facts. Whether or not the President's consistent actions are "good" is a matter of personal feeling and opinion. 2. She 2a. Biological Definitions She: the female person or animal being discussed or last mentioned.[1] Female: 1. a person bearing two X chromosomes in the cell nuclei... 2. an organism of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces egg cells.[2] According to the above definitions, "she" refers to a female, and a female is a person who bears two X chromosomes and normally produces egg cells. These definitions create a potentially accurate descriptor. They exclude a person that does not meet the biological requirements. They are also objective. They can be verified through scientific, medical procedure, instead of being based in feelings or opinions. Defined biologically, does "she" accurately and objectively describe Caitlyn Jenner? Jenner was born biologically male[3], having an X and Y chromosome pair[4], and has not been genetically altered, as such alterations are still being experimentally tested on embryos.[5] As for producing egg cells, Jenner has had sex reassignment surgery[6], but such a surgery does not currently involve the transplantation of working ovaries, as such transplantation has so far been experimental.[7][8] Lacking the second X chromosome and egg producing organs, Jenner cannot be accurately nor objectively described as a biological "she". 2b. Other Definitions Female: 5. of, relating to, or characteristic of a female person.[2] The above definition is circular, requiring an outside definition of “female”. She: 3. anything considered, as by personification, to be feminine.[1] This definition begs a few more. Personification: 3. the person or thing embodying a quality or the like; an embodiment or incarnation.[9] Feminine: 1. pertaining to a woman or girl. 2. having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, as sensitivity or gentleness. 3. effeminate; womanish.[10] Using these definitions, Caitlyn Jenner can indeed be described as a "she" if Jenner embodies feminine qualities. However, is this definition of "she" the more accurate and objective? “Pertaining to a woman or girl" is circular, requiring further defining of "woman" and "girl", which leads back to the definition of "female". “Having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, as sensitivity or gentleness" is neither accurate nor objective. A male "he", could easily have qualities of sensitivity or gentleness, giving this definition poor accuracy. As for objectivity, "tradition" is arbitrary, varying from one person, family, and culture to the next, and is subject to change. Likewise, judging whether a person has qualities such as sensitivity or gentleness is completely subjective. There is no medical test for gentleness. One person may think Caitlyn Jenner has "traditionally ascribed" feminine qualities, while another may not. "Effeminate; womanish" lacks objectivity. There is no universal standard for such qualities, nor can they be medically tested or diagnosed. Whether a person is effeminate or womanish is subjective opinion. All three above definitions of "feminine", and thereby the "personification" definition of "she", fail to be more accurate and objective than the biological definition. 3. He 3a. Biological Definitions He: 1. the male person or animal being discussed or last mentioned.[11] Male: 1. a person bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell nuclei. 2. an organism of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces a sperm cell or male gamete.[4] As with the biological definition of "female", this definition of "male" is both accurate and objective. The presence of the Y chromosome and the production of sperm cells are both scientifically, medically verifiable. As has already been covered, Caitlyn Jenner was born male, with Y chromosomes and, presumably, considering Jenner has children[3], male reproductive organs. Therefore, this definition of "male" and "he" accurately and objectively describes Jenner. Though it may be true that Jenner's hormone therapy has resulted in infertility, stopping the production of sperm cells, this does not eliminate the presence of the Y chromosome. "He" stands as a more accurate and objective description of Caitlyn Jenner than "she". 3b. Gender-Neutral Definition He: anyone (without reference to sex); that person.[11] In English, "he" has been used as a gender-neutral pronoun when the gender of the subject is unknown.[12] Therefore, this "he" could also be used very accurately and objectively to describe Caitlyn Jenner, as long as Jenner's gender is unknown or unspecified. 4. It It: 2. used to represent a person or animal understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned whose gender is unknown or disregarded.[13] This definition of "it" makes an accurate and objective description of Caitlyn Jenner when Jenner's gender is unknown or disregarded. Conclusion In conclusion, the biological use of "she" is the only “she” that passes the accuracy and objectivity test, and it is certainly less accurate and objective in describing Caitlyn Jenner than both "it" and the biological and gender-neutral uses of "he". The resolution is affirmed. [1]http://dictionary.reference.com... [2]http://dictionary.reference.com... [3]https://en.wikipedia.org... [4]http://dictionary.reference.com... [5]http://www.livescience.com... [6]http://radaronline.com... [7]https://en.wikipedia.org... [8]https://en.wikipedia.org... [9]http://dictionary.reference.com... [10]http://dictionary.reference.com... [11]http://dictionary.reference.com... [12]https://en.wikipedia.org... [13]http://dictionary.reference.com...