Observations upon Experimental Philosophy (1666) Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1 observations upon experimental philosophy (1666)

1.1 cavendish’s natural philosophy
1.2 critical response cavendish s natural philosophy
1.3 writing honourable disease
1.4 learning versus wit

observations upon experimental philosophy (1666)
cavendish’s natural philosophy

grounds of natural philosophy, 1668.

eileen o neill provided overview of cavendish s natural philosophy , critical reception in introduction observations upon experimental philosophy. o neill described cavendish s natural philosophy rejecting aristotelianism , mechanical philosophy , favouring stoic doctrines. noted while women wrote natural philosophy in seventeenth century, cavendish published 6 books on subject. o neill pointed out cavendish herself not formally educated in natural philosophy, though william cavendish , brother charles shared interest in subject , supported margaret s interest , study in area. cavendish might have been influenced through social encounters philosophers such thomas hobbes. o neill believed hobbes (who had instructed charles in philosophy) had significant influence on cavendish s natural philosophy , noted cavendish among few seventeenth century supporters of hobbes materialist philosophy, argued incorporeal souls did not exist in nature. beginning in 1660s, cavendish began study work of contemporaries more seriously. o neill suggested such study intended enable cavendish argue own points better contrasting them of other natural philosophers.

critical response cavendish s natural philosophy

o neill noted cavendish s natural philosophy, , writing in general, criticised many of contemporaries more recent readers, such samuel pepys, henry more , virginia woolf. cavendish s work has received positive criticism , lauded many having written on typically male-dominated subjects, such natural philosophy. letters , poems of praise written husband included in several of published works.

writing honourable disease

in preface observations upon experimental philosophy, cavendish stated expected readers practice of writing prolifically disease. if so, cavendish stated, many others, including aristotle, cicero, homer, , st. augustine, had been ill of same disease. remarked honour of great ambition (as identified herself) share disease of such wise , eloquent men. in these, in other writings, asserted wrote herself , writing harmless pastime when compared of many other women. contradicted herself, however, adding wrote delight, had denied in previous work. contradictory assertion continue write if had no readers, not in line desire fame. ultimately, cavendish excused criticism of , engagement theories of other natural philosophers necessary step in search truth.

learning versus wit

in epistle reader, cavendish wrote woman s wit may equal of man, , therefore women might able learn men. argued wit natural, whereas learning artificial, , that, in time, men had more opportunity educate women.

cavendish remarked upon own experience reading philosophical works. noted many such works challenged understanding, contained difficult words , expressions had not encountered. followed cavendish advised writers of philosophy use appropriate language aid less expert readers. cavendish defended position stating philosophical terms ought ease communication of 1 s thoughts. believed successful communication possible in languages , criticised complicated communication (particularly english writers) aiming gain esteem admire writing because did not understand it, without considering might nonsense. in own work, cavendish stated, had chosen not use difficult terms, although pointed out understood such terms. stated reason desired work accessible people regardless of education. aim communicate ideas clearly. requested errors might found within work should overlooked , readers should remain focused on main ideas. here, in many of epistles, cavendish instructed reader how approach work , requested readers should read work in entirety , withhold criticism until have done so.