Forgotten Thinkers: Emilie du Chatelet

Wes Cecil

19 Mar 201651:33

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe script delves into the life and intellectual achievements of Émilie du Châtelet, a female philosopher and mathematician of the 18th century. It highlights her journey from a privileged upbringing to seeking a deeper education and making significant contributions to science and philosophy. The talk emphasizes her determination to overcome societal prejudices, her collaboration and disagreements with Voltaire, and her groundbreaking work in translating and interpreting Newton's Principia Mathematica. It also discusses her pursuit of happiness and intellectual glory, and her influence on the European intellectual scene before her untimely death.

Takeaways

📚 The script discusses the life and achievements of Emilie du Châtelet, a female philosopher and thinker often overshadowed by her relationship with Voltaire.
🧐 It highlights the struggle for recognition of female philosophers, suggesting that historical educational restrictions on women played a larger role in their obscurity than academic repression.
🕵️‍♀️ Emilie's story exemplifies a movement to uncover lost female philosophers, challenging the narrative that they were suppressed by 20th and 21st-century universities.
🏰 Born into a noble family with strong connections to the French royal court, Emilie had access to a life of privilege but chose to pursue education and intellectual fulfillment.
🔢 Emilie showed a remarkable talent for mathematics, which was atypical for women of her time, and she took her studies very seriously, even engaging in scientific debates with Voltaire.
🔥 Her work on the nature of fire was groundbreaking, challenging established ideas and earning her recognition from the Academy of Sciences.
📘 Emilie authored 'Discourse on Happiness', which became a bestseller and reflected her belief in the importance of freeing oneself from prejudice, cultivating virtue, health, taste, and passion.
📖 She undertook a comprehensive critique of the Bible, challenging religious scholars and demonstrating her independent and critical thinking.
🌌 Her most famous work, 'Foundations of Physics', was a significant contribution to science, providing clear explanations of complex scientific concepts and earning her widespread recognition.
🌟 Emilie's translation of Newton's 'Principia Mathematica' is considered the standard French work on Newton and stands as a testament to her intellectual prowess and dedication.
💬 The script emphasizes the importance of personal glory and legacy in the realm of ideas, as Emilie sought to achieve recognition and make a name for herself through her intellectual contributions.

Q & A

Who is the main subject of the 'Forgotten Thinkers' series mentioned in the script?
-The main subject of the 'Forgotten Thinkers' series mentioned in the script is Émilie du Châtelet, a French philosopher and mathematician.
Why is Émilie du Châtelet often overlooked in history?
-Émilie du Châtelet is often overlooked in history because she is primarily known for being Voltaire's lover, and not as much for her intellectual contributions.
What is the 'Invisible College' mentioned in the script?
-The 'Invisible College' refers to a network of scholars in the 17th to early 20th centuries who communicated and shared research through letters, often without being associated with a formal institution.
Why did Émilie decide to leave Paris and move to the countryside with Voltaire?
-Émilie decided to leave Paris and move to the countryside with Voltaire because she wanted to focus on gaining an education and improving herself intellectually, rather than continuing her social life in Paris.
What significant contribution did Émilie du Châtelet make to the field of physics?
-Émilie du Châtelet made significant contributions to the field of physics through her work 'Foundations of Physics,' where she systematically reviewed and argued for how the universe works, including insights into light and gravity.
What was Émilie du Châtelet's stance on the role of miracles in the universe?
-Émilie du Châtelet believed that miracles could not happen because if they did, it would imply the absence of physical laws, which she argued were necessary for the world to be rational and orderly.
How did Émilie du Châtelet's work on 'Examens de la Bible' challenge the religious establishment?
-Émilie du Châtelet's work on 'Examens de la Bible' challenged the religious establishment by critically examining the Bible line by line and disagreeing with its content, as well as the apologetics of biblical scholars.
What was Émilie du Châtelet's translation of Newton's 'Principia Mathematica'?
-Émilie du Châtelet's translation of Newton's 'Principia Mathematica' was a significant intellectual achievement that made Newton's work accessible in French, and it remains the standard work on Newton in French to this day.
How did Émilie du Châtelet's personal life influence her pursuit of intellectual glory?
-Émilie du Châtelet's personal life, including her decision to leave Paris and her relationship with Voltaire, influenced her pursuit of intellectual glory by providing her with the freedom and motivation to dedicate herself to her studies and writings.
What was Émilie du Châtelet's view on happiness and how it relates to her own life?
-Émilie du Châtelet believed that happiness comes from freeing oneself from prejudice, being virtuous, healthy, having taste and passions, and being susceptible to illusions. She pursued an education and intellectual achievements as a means to personal happiness and fulfillment.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Quest for Intellectual Recognition

The speaker introduces the topic of forgotten female philosophers, highlighting the case of Émilie du Châtelet, who is often overshadowed by her relationship with Voltaire. They argue that the lack of recognition for female thinkers is less due to modern educational institutions and more to historical systemic denial of education to women. The speaker also discusses the concept of the 'Invisible College,' a network of scholars in the 17th to 19th centuries, emphasizing the importance of understanding Émilie's intellectual context.

05:02

👑 Nobility and the Pursuit of Knowledge

This paragraph delves into Émilie du Châtelet's aristocratic background and her privileged upbringing. Despite the societal norms of the time, which did not encourage formal education for women, Émilie decides to pursue knowledge in mathematics and philosophy. The speaker describes her marriage to the Marquis du Châtelet and her life in the French court, which she eventually leaves behind to study and live with Voltaire.

10:03

🔍 A Scholarly Partnership and Independent Thinking

The speaker recounts Émilie's collaboration with Voltaire on scientific experiments concerning the nature of fire. Despite working closely with Voltaire, Émilie demonstrates her intellectual independence by disagreeing with his conclusions and submitting her own research to the Academy of Sciences in Paris. This act marks her emergence as a recognized philosopher and scientist in her own right.

15:04

🌟 The Multifaceted Philosopher

The speaker highlights Émilie du Châtelet's diverse intellectual pursuits, which included not only physics but also philosophical writings on happiness. They discuss her views on the prerequisites for personal happiness, emphasizing the importance of overcoming prejudice, cultivating virtue, health, taste, and passion. Émilie's work on happiness was well-received and influential, reflecting her belief in the power of intellectual pursuits.

20:04

📖 A Critical Examination of Religious Texts

In this paragraph, the speaker describes Émilie du Châtelet's extensive critique of the Bible, in which she challenges both the text itself and the interpretations of religious scholars. Her work, though circulated in manuscript form and never officially published due to its controversial nature, had a significant impact on intellectual circles and even prompted counter-arguments from religious scholars.

25:04

🚀 Pioneering Work in Physics and Philosophy

The speaker discusses Émilie du Châtelet's major work, 'Foundations of Physics,' which presents a systematic understanding of the universe, including concepts of gravity, light, and the nature of physical laws. Her work was highly regarded, leading to an honorary seat in the Academy of Sciences in Italy and recognition across Europe for her contributions to the field.

30:05

🏆 Overcoming Prejudice and Achieving Glory

The final paragraph focuses on Émilie du Châtelet's struggle against societal prejudice and her relentless pursuit of intellectual glory. The speaker recounts her achievements, including her translation and commentary on Newton's 'Principia Mathematica,' which remains a standard work in French. Despite her untimely death, her work and influence on Voltaire and other thinkers endure, fulfilling her desire for posthumous recognition and glory.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Forgotten Thinkers

The term 'Forgotten Thinkers' refers to individuals who have made significant contributions to thought, philosophy, or intellectual pursuits but have not been given due recognition in mainstream historical accounts. In the video's context, it is used to highlight the importance of revisiting history to acknowledge and appreciate the work of thinkers like Émilie du Châtelet, who might have been overlooked or undervalued.

💡Émilie du Châtelet

Émilie du Châtelet was an 18th-century French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist. In the script, she is presented as a prime example of a 'Forgotten Thinker'. The video discusses her life, her relationship with Voltaire, and her significant contributions to science and philosophy, emphasizing her as a figure who should be celebrated for her intellect and achievements beyond just being Voltaire's lover.

💡The Invisible College

The 'Invisible College' refers to a loose network of scholars and scientists in the 17th and 18th centuries who communicated and collaborated through correspondence, rather than through formal institutions. In the video, it is mentioned to illustrate the academic environment of the time, where figures like Émilie du Châtelet would have engaged with contemporary thought and research, despite the lack of formal academic structures.

💡Deist

A deist is someone who believes in the existence of a supreme being or creator but rejects religious dogma and the intervention of the divine in the affairs of the world. Émilie du Châtelet is described as a deist in the script, which is significant as it positions her philosophically and highlights her rational and scientific approach to understanding the universe.

💡Philosophe

The term 'Philosophe' was used in 18th-century France to describe a thinker or scholar engaged in philosophical pursuits, often with an emphasis on reason, logic, and the scientific method. Émilie du Châtelet is referred to as a 'Philosophe' in the script, indicating her active role in intellectual discourse and her contributions to various fields of knowledge.

💡Foundations of Physics

The 'Foundations of Physics' is a work by Émilie du Châtelet that the video discusses. It represents her attempt to systematize and clarify the principles of physics and the nature of the universe. The script highlights this work as a significant intellectual achievement that contributed to her recognition as a leading thinker of her time.

💡Principia Mathematica

The 'Principia Mathematica' is a foundational work in mathematics and physics by Sir Isaac Newton. In the script, Émilie du Châtelet's translation and commentary on this work is mentioned as a major accomplishment, showcasing her deep understanding of Newton's theories and her ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible.

💡Prejudice

The concept of 'Prejudice' is discussed in the video as a barrier to Émilie du Châtelet's achievements, both societally against women engaging in intellectual pursuits and internally as she had to overcome her own preconceived notions. The video emphasizes the importance of overcoming such prejudices to achieve personal and intellectual fulfillment.

💡Happiness

Happiness is a central theme in the video, particularly in relation to Émilie du Châtelet's essay on the subject. The video discusses her views on happiness, which include the importance of freeing oneself from prejudice, being virtuous, healthy, having taste and passions, and being susceptible to illusions. Her pursuit of happiness is tied to her quest for knowledge and intellectual fulfillment.

💡Glory

The term 'Glory' is used in the video to describe Émilie du Châtelet's aspiration for her work to be recognized and to achieve lasting fame in the realm of the intellect. It encapsulates her ambition and the broader message of the video, which encourages individuals to strive for personal excellence and recognition in their chosen fields.

Highlights

Emily du Châtelet was more than just Voltaire's lover; she was a remarkable intellectual and philosopher in her own right.

There is a movement to find lost female philosophers, emphasizing that women have been systematically denied education for most of recorded history.

Emily du Châtelet was born into a well-connected noble family and married the Marquis du Châtelet, a highly placed landed gentry.

Despite her aristocratic background, Emily decided to pursue education and hired tutors, excelling particularly in mathematics.

She moved to the countryside with Voltaire to focus on her studies, a decision that shocked her peers.

Emily's first significant academic work was on the nature of fire, submitted to the French Academy of Sciences.

Her discourse on happiness emphasized the importance of overcoming prejudices, being virtuous, healthy, having tastes and passions, and being susceptible to illusions.

Emily wrote a critical examination of the Bible, challenging it line by line, which became a significant intellectual achievement.

Her most famous work, 'Foundations of Physics,' systematically reviewed and argued key scientific concepts, integrating metaphysical and physical ideas.

Emily's translation and commentary on Newton's 'Principia Mathematica' remains a standard reference in French, showcasing her deep understanding of complex scientific concepts.

Emily du Châtelet overcame both external societal prejudices and internal doubts to become a recognized thinker across Europe.

Her intellectual achievements were recognized by the Italian Academy of Sciences, where she was given an honorary seat.

Emily's work significantly influenced Voltaire and other leading thinkers of her time.

Emily believed that the realm of the intellect was one place where women could achieve glory and that this pursuit of intellectual greatness could bring happiness.

Despite starting her serious education at 25, Emily du Châtelet became one of the most noted philosophers in Europe by the time of her death at 42.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Coping With Severe OCD as a Teenager | My Life With

I Quit My MIT PhD

The Tragic Rift Between Jackie Kennedy and Her Sister | A Tale of Two Sisters | Real History

The Queen of Basketball | An Oscar-Winning Op-Doc

Lucy Hale Opens Up For The First Time About Eating Disorders, Relationships & Addiction | E224

Lise Meitner Symposium — Panel 1: The Life and work of Lise Meitner

Related Tags

Emilie du Châtelet 18th Century Philosophy Science Intellectual Pursuit Gender Prejudice Scientific Debate Newtonian Physics Philosophical Works Cultural Impact