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Assignment 02

In Londa Schiebinger’s, “Skeletons in the Closet,” she discusses the analyses of anatomy in Europe back then. White women and white men were analyzed and conclusions were drawn from this to justify their thoughts and actions in society. Due to the white female body having smaller skulls and a larger pelvis, scientists concluded that their intelligence was inferior and their role in society should be to give birth to children. Several scientists continued to observe and compare the two anatomies but what was the real motive behind it? Were they genuinely interested in the two anatomies and wanting to compare them or was it solely in order to find inferior aspects of the female anatomy, which would then lead to a reason to further oppress women.

Due to how much faith society placed in physical and scientific evidence back then, these scientific ‘discoveries’ led many to believe the comparisons. Women were further kept out of power, being believed to be inferior because of the comparisons the scientists had made. One important thing to note is that all of the scientists were male, which means a female point of view was missing regarding this situation. As a result, the foundation for a society where women were oppressed was set and there was no way to argue it since science was so important. People weren’t able to argue with what scientists claimed and so the majority of Europe followed.