304 Ch. 8 • The New Philosophy Of Science

The Newcastle circle

hosted by the duke and

duchess of Newcastle.

Margaret Cavendish, the

duchess, is seated on the

far right crowned with

laurels.

evidence of her own achievements, she accepted, at least in her early years,

the contemporary assumptions that women had smaller and softer brains

than men, and thus were somehow unfit for science and philosophy. Few

men of science would have agreed with the assertion in 1673 by one of

Descartes’s disciples in France that “the mind has no sex.” This bold state­

ment reflected Descartes’s belief that thought transcended gender

differences—and, therefore, having sense organs equal to men’s, women

should be recognized as their equals. But although Cavendish was permit­

ted to attend one session, women were formally banned from the Royal

Society—this would last until 1945—and they were excluded from English

universities.

Yet as an interest in scientific theories and discoveries became influen­

tial among the educated upper classes, women also wanted to be informed

about science. Several women assisted their husbands in scientific experi­

ments. In Italy, it was more common for women to participate in the scien­

tific life of their cities. Laura Bassi Veratti (1711-1778) studied philosophy

at the University of Bologna and was elected to the Academy of Sciences,

where she regularly presented her work—although she published very lit­

tle. She received the title of university lecturer, but because of her gender

she was not allowed to teach in public, only at home (which was very com­

mon in Italy). Later, however, after having studied mathematics, Bassi was

named professor of experimental physics, experimented with fluid mechan­

ics and electricity (perhaps even before Benjamin Franklin conducted his