John Carlos BaezMar 14

RE: https://universeodon.com/@lovableweirdo/116222224444635795

I hadn't known about Margaret Cavendish writing SF in 1666, back when Newton was coming up with calculus. For more, check out the whole conversation here and also Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Cavendish,_Duchess_of_Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Show threadVictor GijsbersMar 14
@johncarlosbaez I teach her in my History of Modern Philosophy class, but haven't read her SF yet!
Show threadJohn Carlos BaezMar 14
@victorgijsbers - what about her philosophy do you teach?
Show threadVictor GijsbersMar 14
@johncarlosbaez We read a selection from the part of the Philosophical Letters that criticises Descartes. A little about the physics (e.g., his account of density in terms of pores), but most of all the letters in which Cavendish defends her own theory of matter as always a mixture of inanimate, animate and rational; which she then uses to criticise, among other things, Descartes' claim that animals have no feelings.
Show threadVictor Gijsbers
@johncarlosbaez "That one man expressing his mind by speech or words to an other, doth not declare by it his excellency and supremacy above all other Creatures, but for the most part more folly, for a talking man is not so wise as a contemplating man. But by reason other Creatures cannot speak or discourse with each other as men, or make certain signs, whereby to express themselves as dumb and deaf men do, should we conclude, they have neither knowledge, sense, reason, or intelligence?"
Mar 14 at 5:40pmWeb
Show threadJohn Carlos BaezMar 15

@victorgijsbers - nice quote!

"a talking man is not so wise as a contemplating man"

😏