Sutton, Science for a Polite Society

Science for a Polite Society: Gender, Culture and the Demonstration of Enlightenment by GeoffreyV. Sutton
Main arguments:
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*The period in France from Louis XIII to Louis XV (roughly 1600-1760) is one of distinct changes in HOW natural philosophy (science) was done, discussed and demonstrated.
*The tradition of holding forth publically (as at the Bureau d’addresse) was one of calling on authority to bolster a claim, speakers utilized the “notebook method” (vast non-linear lists of “facts” gathered from manuscripts) and one in which various subjects could be jumbled together without any seeming rhyme or reason. This changed as Cartesian and Newtonian models prompted a new way of building arguments along linear lines in which generalizing laws were built up from particular, demonstrable cases.
*Descartes was revolutionary for three reasons: 1.) he wrote in French (so he said that women could read his work), 2.) he did NOT appeal to authority but instead 3.) discussed the deep interrelations between phenomena, attempting to build a totalizing system that would link his new philosophy and mathematics to the natural world.
*In France especially scientific discourse was closely tied to “polite society” and elite circles where demonstrations were as much entertainments as they were shows of the new knowledge of nature and technologies. To delight, amaze, engage and capture the audience was just as important as being able to explain WHAT was going on (actually more important).
*Display and spectacle were not secondary aspects of natural philosophy, but integral to its communication, understanding and promulgation within society.
Methodology, sources and themes:
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*Scientific Revolution NOT seen as a march of great men, great ideas and progress
 but instead a series of transformed social practices and social settings
*Sociological and anthropological questioning of sources
*Emphasis on style, sociability and status
*Gender: women as arbiters, transmitters and champions of new “natural philosophical” ideas. Milieus associated with the feminine given stronger emphasis and voice.
*Natural philosophy/science as practice, artifact and performance
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Strengths:
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*This is one of many studies in the history of science (late 1980’s-1990’s) that emphasized the culture, social organization, institutional frameworks of science. This was a major break with an older way of studying the Sci. Rev. which put much more emphasis on ideas and Great Men then on actual material culture and the cultural structures of science and scientists.
*Illuminates the role of women in the process of scientific culture and history of ideas.
*Strikes at the “myth” that Newton triumphed over Descartes because his system was more “real” that Newton’s (though perhaps not as fruitful in actual experiments).
Category:Scientific Revolution