In response to Lorie G Sauble-Otto <lorie@U.ARIZONA.EDU>, I wrote:
>>Excuse me? It appears that you are saying that "hard science" is sexist.
>>Certainly the human conduct of the activity may be, but in the sense of
>>method and results, do you mean that there is something intrinsicly sexist
>>about "hard science"?
Heather MacLean <hmaclean@KENT.EDU> replied:
>Well, yes, in a certain sense. Science consists of formulating a
>hypothesis, then proving it. In order to prove it, you have to "establish
>as true, demonstrate [it] to be a fact." A fact is "the state of things as
>they are, reality, actuality, truth." As long as the feminine experience
>continues to be invalidated by patriarchy, and patriarchy maintains its
>stranglehold over what is truth and reality, science continues to be sexist.
>
>The proof also has to be communicated via language. And language has its own
>allegiances to patriarchy.
>
>Note that this is argued from a fairly radical feminist stance, and this
>very syllogistic answer also relies on patriarchal modes of thought. Which
>may therefore invalidate it. *grins*
If a fascist sexist pig walks off the top of a building, he will fall with
an acceleration of 32 feet per second per second, and probably be killed,
splattering his DNA all over the place.
If a pagan feminist, who is really really in touch with herself and Mother
Earth, walks off the top of a building, she will fall with an acceleration
of 32 feet per second per second, and probably be killed, splattering her
DNA all over the place.
This is "the state of things as they are, reality, actuality, truth.". It
is equally true in Chicago, Cuzco, Cairo and Lhasa.
In the vitally important work of disentangling ourselves from the
imprisonment of our assumptions, some of which are deeply embedded in our
culture and language, let's not be idiots.
One of the attractions of science fiction is the seriousness with which it
can consider our relations with the universe at large. Certainly, sf began
with much more limited horizons, and, we hope, much more constricting
preconceptions than we have now. It is our hope that we contribute to the
broadining of horizons and further clarification of vision(s), but we do
stand on the shoulders of giants, albeit human giants.
"Reality is what doesn't go away when you aren't looking."
Neil
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu May 25 2000 - 19:06:07 PDT