New Books in the History of Science
Andrew Janiak, "The Enlightenment's Most Dangerous Woman: Émilie Du Châtelet and the Making of Modern Philosophy" (Oxford UP, 2024)
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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Quick takeaways
- Émilie du Châtelet challenged the male-dominated Enlightenment by asserting the value of independent thought, influencing modern philosophy significantly.
- Her exclusion from the philosophical canon exemplifies the broader systemic barriers faced by women, shaping how history recognizes intellectual contributions.
Deep dives
Émilie du Châtelet: A Pioneering Thinker
Émilie du Châtelet was a polymath who made significant contributions to mathematics, physics, and philosophy, yet her work is often overlooked in the canon of Enlightenment thinkers. Andrew Janiak's book highlights her intellectual prowess and the importance of her ideas, arguing that she played a crucial role in shaping modern philosophy. The podcast emphasizes her presence in influential discussions of her time, with numerous notable figures engaging with her work, indicating that she was not merely an afterthought in the intellectual landscape. Despite her contributions, she is often not included in mainstream philosophical teachings, underscoring the necessity of recognizing her influence in the development of Enlightenment thought.
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