Du Chattelet Gender Roles

French physicist Emilie Du Chatelet, descendant of nobility, was involved in science to a degree that was unmatched by the vast majority of eighteenth century women. Du Chatelet was well-educated and well-connected, using the opportunities her privilege presented her with to gain knowledge and produce original contributions to the field of science. In the early eighteenth century, working in science was considered outside of a woman's social sphere of influence, although women were allowed some degree of participation, albiet a limited and passive role. Popular scientific literature, often addressed to the female reader, describes the type of involvement in science that was accepted for women, namely, domestic-type mentorships where male scientists …show more content…
During this time, the majority of women and men occupied different spheres of influence within society. Men were considered to posses greater mental and reasoning powers, and occupied public arenas of science and politics, while women were considered to possess higher moral and intuitive senses, and traditionally occupied private areas including the home and religious institutions. This division between the natural capabilities of each gender was used to explain and justify excluding women from education and science. However, there was a growing movement, often supported by the philosophy of Cartesian dualism (the idea that the mind and body are separate) that claimed the minds of men and women were no different. During this time, many books were written intending to “popularize the new science,” often targeted toward women readers. Popularizations of science were often written as conversations between two characters, portraying a relationship model that was gaining popularity: mentorship between a male philosopher teacher and upper class woman. Francesco Algarotti’s Newtonianism for Ladies, exemplifies this type of relationship between a man of science and a respectable newtonian woman. In the typical mentorship dialogue, the scientist must exercise his ability to simplify theories while excluding topics …show more content…
Yet growing up, Emilies father, a high-ranking court official, educated Emilie in a wide number of subjects. In addition to her education, Emilie was exposed to philosophical discussions from a young age. Emilies father often hosted “prominent intellectuals” at thier house and oftentimes Emilie sat in and participated in their discussions. It was in her home during one such meeting that Emilie first met Voltaire, a French philosopher with whom she later struck up both a romantic and intellectual relationship. During a period of time where Voltaire was banned from Paris, Emilie moved to live with Voltaire in Cirey, where she stayed for four years. There, the pair studied Newtonian mechanics and corresponded with other scientists, keeping up to date with the work of others scientists through correspondence. Additionally, in Cirey Emilie had access to a library of physics books and scientific instruments such as the telescope. Although the mentorship model of relationship was popular among a number of educated, elite women, Emilie du Chatelet was unique because she developed relationships with a number of men of science throughout her life and often formed relationships that were both academic and romantic. Emilie’s knowledge of newtonian science also benefitted through her relationship with Maupertius, who tutored her in the mathematics of newton’s science. Relationships with Maupertius and