Women's role in the scientific revolution

At the end of the scientific revolution, science had overtaken Christianity as the height of European civilization. After the confusion of the reformation and the renaissance, a new view of science arose, bringing with it some transformations such as; the replacement of quantitative view of nature to a qualitative view, the reinstruction of common sense in abstract reasoning, the categorization of nature as an instrument instead of an organism, acceptance of a new explanation criteria that focused on the how instead of the why which had characterized the Aristotelian science and also the development of experimental methods that required definite answers to limited questions couched in the framework of specific theories. The period is vital as it set the foundation for the modern view of the world as it is known today.

What is known on physics, the solar system, molecules, anatomy, atoms and several other scientific discoveries originate from the developments made during the scientific revolution. Roles during the Scientific Revolution At all times, when the topic of scientific revolution arises, scientists in question are often male, prominent names such as Brahe, Galileo, Boyle and Newton are what make up the Scientific Revolutions as only their works were acknowledged over the years. Such beliefs and laws were major hindrances for women and deprived them of numerous opportunities. Some of the reasons given as to why women were not to be treated equally to men in terms of education was a belief that women were not smart compared to men. They believed and instilled the beliefs in society that men had larger brains compared to that of women and women had a larger pelvic area compared to men, a clear indication that a woman’s role was to give birth and take on house or motherly duties.

Women in the Scientific Revolution The fact that women just like men, have played vital roles during the scientific advancement of science cannot be disputed. Women that went out of the societal expectations placed on them and got themselves educated enough to make impacts during the advancement of science include: Margaret Cavendish, Maria Winckelmann and Maria Gaetana Agnesi. She earnestly studied contemporary philosophical and scientific works with some influence from the work of Thomas Hobbes, a renowned scientist that had also instructed her brother. She also supported and accepted his ideas on incorporeal souls and their inexistence in nature. Maria Winckelmann Unlike other European countries during the evolutions, circumstances for German women were a bit different. Some independently pursed their scientific interests openly while others opted not to. Maria was married to Gottfried Kirsch, a mathematician and an astronomer.

The book provides an outstanding introduction to Euclid and integral and differential calculus. Her work was great and was accorded as the most renowned mathematician after Hypatia who was discovered almost a decade before her. Like Cavendish, she wrote the book in Italian vernacular despite the lack of literary charm exhibited in Cavendish’s works. She went on to become a professor at Bologna, becoming the first woman to do so. Throughout her lifetime she was praised and accorded the much need respect. Margaret Cavendish, Maria Winckelmann and Maria Gaetana Agnesi are just some of the women who immensely contributed to science like Queen Christina of Sweden and many more women some known other unknown (Schmidt). Science is and should be continuously molded into a fair and democratic field. The field should welcome and acknowledge criticisms and contributions from all members of society regardless of gender or class.

Despite the undisputable strides and progress made by the field of science, it still has a longer way to go in achieving the egalitarian goal. Works Cited Dear, Peter. Scientific Revolution.  Roots of Ecology, 2012, pp.  45-70, doi:10. california/9780520271746. Schmidt, B.