Reflections On Gender On Science - 1652 Words

Science is the truth. It is unwavering and absolute. As a result, it is objective and free of imperfection. As such, Steven Weinburg, a theoretical physicist, once stated, The laws of nature are as impersonal and free of human values as the rules of arithmetic. We didn t want it to come out that way, but it did. Weinburg explains that science, like arithmetic is ultimately an objective discourse—free from subjectivity and emotion. However, in Evelyn Fox Keller’s novel Reflections on Gender on Science, she argues against science as being an objectivist ideology. She asserts that science does not encompass the complete truth, but is rather a perverted, masculine discourse. Keller critiques Weinburg’s assertions as faulty, where she argues†¦show more content†¦She argues that white, middle-class men have pioneered the field of science since its inception. Since science has been championed exclusively by this particular party, science discounts aspects from other groups, especially females. In doing so, science is exposed a misguided subjective ideology that casts the feminine perspective—in particular—to the wayside. In addition, this narrow, one-sided mindset lacks the ideas from those who are nonwhite and not middle-class. Keller’s argument regarding science being an â€Å"objectivist discourse† is a double-edged sword. In her attempts to critique the whole population of â€Å"white, middle-class men,† she ultimately generalizes them. In her arguments, she makes a sweeping assumption that science is a white supremacist, capitalistic, and male-dominated discourse. Her generalizations from which her argumentation is based off is flawed. The basis of her arguments is coded in sexism, classism, and racism. Keller’s entire claim revolves around how science being dominated by middle-class white men is unacceptable. Her claim that science â€Å"has evolved under the formative influence of a partic ular ideal of masculinity† insinuates that science heavily favors white, middle-class men and disregards everyone else. Her assertion of underrepresentation presupposes that these white, middle-class men regard only themselves and fail to represent the rest of the population. This baseless claim paintsShow MoreRelatedReflections On Gender On Science1544 Words   |  7 PagesScience is ultimate. It is unwavering, and it is the truth. As a result, it is objective and free of imperfection. As such, Steven Weinburg, a theoretical physicist, once stated, The laws of nature are as impersonal and free of human values as the rules of arithmetic. We didn t want it to come out that way, but it did. Weinburg explains that science, like arithmetic is ultimately an objective discourse—free from subjectivity and emotion. However, in Evelyn Fox Keller’s novel Reflections on GenderRead MoreReflections On Gender And Science By Evelyn Fox Keller1405 Words   |  6 PagesIn Refle ctions on Gender and Science by Evelyn Fox Keller, Keller writes about the presence of masculinity, rather than femininity, in science. Keller begins makes it clear that, although there are significantly more men than women in the field, the issue at hand is not the lack of women working in science, but the â€Å"attribution of masculinity to science as an intellectual domain† (76). This means the language, tone, and overall dominance. Keller states that this stems from the myth that masculinityRead MoreMen, Women, and Language: Socially Constructing Male and Female Speech1703 Words   |  7 Pagesmale and female speech One of the essential contentions of feminist theory is that there is an inherent difference between the concepts of gender and sex. 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