[Debate] Women's Brain By Stephen Jay Gould

['Toxic]

Women’s Brains is an essay from Stephen Jay Gould’s 1980 book, The Panda’s Thumb. In the essay, Gould discusses the previous misconceptions about the intelligence of women based on frequently quoted (although misinformed) data.

Gould uses a lot of references to leading scientific minds from the late 19th century to show the extreme example of prejudice against women’s intelligence. The major focus is on Paul Broca and other Parisian craniometrists (scientists of human skulls and brains). An extreme example that he used to make his point was the reference to a writing done by a Gustave Le Bon, a disciple of Broca. In this piece, Le Bon writes about how women’s brains are more similar to a gorilla’s than a man’s. He further writes that the existence of intelligent women “are as exceptional as the birth of any monstrosity, as, for example, of a gorilla with two heads; consequently, we may neglect them entirely”. I know that this was included for shock value but it worked.

Gould uses this essay to show how views can and should change. His argument focuses on cranial size, brain dimensions and late 1800′s perspectives. He does not discuss how far views about women have come by referencing the right to vote, employment and other factors because they are not applicable to his argument. The essay is about scientific views. Writing about women is just one example that he could have used to back up his perspective. What was an acceptable perspective now appears preposterous so never take anything as a certainty.

Gould’s essay is an allegory for the conflict between evolution and creationism. Without blatantly stating his intention, he uses his argument to promote change. As a scientist and historian, Gould has a great deal of knowledge and experience studying biology. He writes his argument in the same style to which he is referring: persuasive and not matter-of-factly. I applaud Gould for shaping the essay in a way that conveys that we should not take anything for granted. It is written to show that even though he is certain of facts, that nothing is certain. It is perfectly possible to be convinced of something but still keep an open mind to other possibilities.

I believe that Gould is writing to a more liberal-minded audience. His intention is to reach people who can analyze data and come to their own conclusions. Making decisions for yourself is an underline theme of the essay even though it does include some obvious bias.

Some of the numerical facts that Gould uses, represent the misinterpretation of data. The craniometrists he writes about infer that correlation is causation. Gould’s argument is put forward to make you think about what you hear and see. If a professional gives you their opinion based on their own data, you’d better hear the data in it’s entirety. It is not permissable to take an experts word when they themselves are biased or have a hidden agenda. The only way to know for sure is to critically think for yourself and take nothing for granted.

Gould’s essay was thought provoking and compelling. Although he uses some extreme examples and dry facts, his message is subtle. By showing us his research, he doesn’t have to tell us about their absurdity.

Your thoughts?

Full original essay:

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No one wants to reply? I see people are allergic to threads that will make you read and think at the same time.
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[Colonel Armstrong]

interesting....

 

['Toxic]

interesting....

Care to explain what you found interesting?

 

[Flash]

Didn't read lol xd

 

[Shinobi Train]

MEN and woMEN are the same...with some very extreme differences. xd It's impossible to compare the two, mostly because in many cases, men act more like women and women act more like men...so can we really say "this is how women are"? Or "this is is how men are"? Not really, it's a case by case thing, and it's automatically a fail to say it's this way or that. Just my .02 ^_^

 

[Jack Spicer]

MEN and woMEN are the same...with some very extreme differences. xd It's impossible to compare the two, mostly because in many cases, men act more like women and women act more like men...so can we really say "this is how women are"? Or "this is is how men are"? Not really, it's a case by case thing, and it's automatically a fail to say it's this way or that. Just my .02 ^_^

I agree with Train. We're equal, faults and pluses. I'm not very scientific, but that's my opinion. Science shouldn't matter anyways. When we spend time talking about differences, we'll never see the similarities.


Funny note: The essay was written by a guy, so....yeah.

 

[Wang]

This is too much reading for me, I'm just going to agree w/ you, whatever you're saying I totally agree.

 

[Shinobi Train]

This is too much reading for me, I'm just going to agree w/ you, whatever you're saying I totally agree.

...then why did you even comment? :/ Okay, so what if it's saying something aweful...like women were made to be slaves and they have to no right to be given freedom? I guess you would just agree with that then.

 

[Germanicus]

This was interesting. I'm conflicted. One, change is a necessary part of society, this is undeniable. Society, and it's views on people will change over time, and this is an inexorable fact until the death of a society itself. However, I don't believe change always equals good. We can find this in the example of the late Roman empire, in which their morals became less lax, and more of their important administration and military positions to foreign men of power from the most outlying provinces. Change, driving factor behind both essays, can't be glorified in the same way we can't glorify stagnation. It's all circumstantial. Still a good essay, thank you for posting both. Although, I would encourage you never to attempt to insult your would be audience with lines such as this; "No one wants to reply? I see people are allergic to threads that will make you read and think at the same time." That's shallow, rude, and unnecessary.

 

['Toxic]

Didn't read lol xd

Don't spam the thread

I agree with Train. We're equal, faults and pluses. I'm not very scientific, but that's my opinion. Science shouldn't matter anyways. When we spend time talking about differences, we'll never see the similarities.


Funny note: The essay was written by a guy, so....yeah.

It was originally written by a woman, the book is called "Middlemarch by George Eliot"
George Eliot was a pen name of Mary Anne Evans, she had to use a male name in order for her "A Study of Provincial Life is a novel" would get sold. In the era she was an author, female writers weren't respected as much as if it was a male who wrote the book.

You must be registered for see links

MEN and woMEN are the same...with some very extreme differences. xd It's impossible to compare the two, mostly because in many cases, men act more like women and women act more like men...so can we really say "this is how women are"? Or "this is is how men are"? Not really, it's a case by case thing, and it's automatically a fail to say it's this way or that. Just my .02 ^_^

People still tend to stereotype, I find it funny when a guy makes a comment like "Only men can play football" or "sports are only for men" Tch, I've met women who can be more ruthless than most guys I know and really sport oriented. In intelligence, I've met very smart females. In our to 10% of my class (527) would be the first 57, the top 5 people consist of 4 girls and 1 guy. I've never truly cared or tried so I'm sadly rank 42 but even so, I cant comprehend what went through the mind of Gould.
I can also see why some men happen to dislike when a woman surpasses them in anything. It could our nature of wanting to be in 'power' or to show off our own abilities to others and if we lose to a woman, for some, it's like getting shot.
My Best friend is # 6, he use to be rank 5 last year and he's upset that a girl beat him. He told me that the girl who passed him, cant possibly be smarter than him. I told him "Are you jealous?" he never complains about the fact that our valedictorian is a male.
this still doesn't excuse the fact that we neglected their rights for so long, thanks to ignorance and because we believed the nonsense of a delusional misogynist. Funny thing is, the church was in on it as well- reason why I always choose logic over religion. If I see that somethings unfair, I analyze it and when I had process my beliefs and what I believe to be morally right (taking in account how would I like to be treated) I make my decisions. I was never the type to follow people.

Although, I would encourage you never to attempt to insult your would be audience with lines such as this; "No one wants to reply? I see people are allergic to threads that will make you read and think at the same time." That's shallow, rude, and unnecessary.

It's true either way, it's not rude but the truth, plus I meant it to those who were viewing my thread last night and none cared to reply. Their excuse is always "too much to read" "ugh..thinking" or "English isn't my first language" big deal, English is my second language, reason why I have grammar errors but at least I push my point across.

And I have two great examples:

Didn't read lol xd

This is too much reading for me, I'm just going to agree w/ you, whatever you're saying I totally agree.

You really shouldn't assume things. For someone who once told me not to put words in his mouth, you like to do that a lot. Nevertheless, it's not something to argue, I thank you for replying to this thread.

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[Chatte]

I have to read this when I get on my computer. On the phone is quite incomfortable.