Andrew Janiak, "The Enlightenment's Most Dangerous Woman: Émilie Du Châtelet and the Making of Modern Philosophy" (Oxford UP, 2024)

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Mar 18, 2025

Andrew Janiak, a Professor of Philosophy and Bass Fellow at Duke University, dives into the life and groundbreaking work of Émilie Du Châtelet, the Enlightenment's boldest thinker. They discuss her fight against gender barriers in philosophy and her formidable critiques of Newtonian thought. Janiak highlights Du Châtelet's partnerships with luminaries like Voltaire and her passion for blending philosophy with science. He emphasizes her legacy as a pivotal figure whose contributions are often overshadowed, yet essential to understanding modern intellectual landscapes.

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ANECDOTE

Du Châtelet's Upbringing and Education

Émilie Du Châtelet grew up in an aristocratic Parisian family and married into the prominent Du Châtelet family.
She received tutoring in math, philosophy, and languages, including Latin and the then-obscure English.

INSIGHT

18th-Century Debates Beyond Newton

The 18th-century Enlightenment wasn't simply a Newtonian triumph, but an era of diverse scientific and philosophical debates.
Thinkers like Du Châtelet, Voltaire, and others disputed issues like space, time, matter, and forces.

INSIGHT

Du Châtelet's Critique of "Great Men"

Du Châtelet warned against idolizing "great men" like Newton and Descartes, advocating for independent thought.
She believed no single person, however brilliant, could fully grasp the complexities of physics.

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Newton's Principia

Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton's 'Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica' is a seminal work that established the principles of classical mechanics and the law of universal gravitation. Published in 1687, it revolutionized the understanding of motion and forces, providing a comprehensive framework for both terrestrial and celestial mechanics. The book is divided into three sections, covering the laws of motion, resisted motions, and the system of the world, including gravitational forces and planetary orbits.

Encyclopedia of Diderot and D'Alembert

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Jean Le Rond d'Alembert

Denis Diderot

The Encyclopédie, or Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, was a monumental collaborative project of the Enlightenment. Edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, it aimed to compile all human knowledge into a comprehensive reference work. Published in volumes between 1751 and 1772, it contained articles on science, technology, philosophy, and the arts, reflecting the spirit of the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and progress. The Encyclopédie faced censorship and controversy due to its critical stance on religion and authority, but it became a symbol of Enlightenment ideals and had a profound impact on the dissemination of knowledge.

the Institution Physique

or the Institutions of Physics

Émilie du Châtelet

D'Alembert's Preliminary Discourse to the encyclopedia

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Jean Le Rond d'Alembert

Jean le Rond d'Alembert's "Discours préliminaire de l'Encyclopédie" serves as the introduction to the monumental Encyclopédie. This influential text outlines the project's scope and methodology, reflecting the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and the systematic organization of knowledge. D'Alembert's discourse discusses the interconnectedness of various fields of knowledge and the importance of a collaborative approach to scholarship. It also implicitly establishes a canon of influential thinkers, shaping the perception of the philosophical past. The discourse remains a significant contribution to intellectual history and the study of the Enlightenment.

The best biography, at least in English of Duchat Delay by Judith Zinser

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Judith Zinser

The Discourse on Happiness

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Émilie du Châtelet

The Enlightenment's Most Dangerous Woman

Émilie du Châtelet and the Making of Modern Philosophy

Andrew Janiak

Andrew Janiak's "The Enlightenment's Most Dangerous Woman" unveils the life and intellectual contributions of Émilie du Châtelet, a polymathic figure of the Enlightenment. The book challenges the traditional narrative of Enlightenment thought, highlighting du Châtelet's significant yet often overlooked role. It explores her work in mathematics, physics, and philosophy, emphasizing her independent thinking and critique of established authorities. Janiak's work sheds light on the gender barriers du Châtelet faced and her impact on the development of modern philosophy. The book serves as a compelling case study of intellectual history and the construction of the philosophical canon.

Critique of pure reason

Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason" is a monumental work in philosophy that revolutionized epistemology and metaphysics. It explores the limits of human reason and the conditions under which knowledge is possible. Kant argues that our experience is shaped by inherent structures of the mind, known as categories of understanding. The book delves into the nature of space, time, and causality, and how these concepts structure our perception of the world. Its influence on subsequent philosophical thought is immeasurable, shaping debates on knowledge, morality, and the nature of reality.