Author
Margaret Cavendish Newcastle
Died 1674
Read free books by Margaret Cavendish Newcastle on Rivro. Explore public-domain classics and related works.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Margaret Cavendish Newcastle
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World
"The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing-World" by Margaret Cavendish is a work of prose fiction published in 1666. A young woman is kidnapped and swept to the North Pole, where she discovers a portal to a parallel world inhabited by human-animal hybrids. Mistaken for a goddess, she becomes empress of this strange realm, imposing new religions and philosophies. When war threatens her homeland, she returns with fantastical technologies to restore order, blurring the lines between conquest, creation, and utopian imagination.
Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural Philosophy
"Philosophical Letters: or, Modest Reflections Upon Some Opinions in Natural Philosophy" by the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle is a philosophical treatise written in the mid-17th century. The work presents a series of letters that critique various prominent philosophical ideas, particularly those of figures such as Descartes and Hobbes. The author aims to explore and communicate her unique perspectives on natural philosophy, emphasizing her belief in the dual existence of sensitive and rational life across all creatures. The opening of the letters sets the stage for a dialogue on philosophical issues, with the Marchioness expressing both trepidation and determination in addressing established thinkers. She asserts her right to challenge prevailing notions and assert her insights, particularly her views on the nature of matter, perception, and the soul's relationship with the body. Notably, she argues for the validity of her opinions while acknowledging the contributions of other philosophers, highlighting a commitment to the pursuit of truth rather than mere contradiction. The letters serve not only as a defense of her ideas but as an invitation for further discussion in the realm of natural philosophy, demonstrating her intellectual vigor and dedication to understanding the complexities of existence.
Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical Opinions
"Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts" by Newcastle is a foundational work in natural philosophy written in the late 17th century. The text explores the nature of matter, motion, perception, and life, presenting the author’s contemplations and arguments about the physical world based on the self-moving parts of nature. It delves into various philosophical inquiries surrounding the essence of existence and the interplay between different forms of matter and motion. The opening of the text begins with an appeal to European universities, where the author, Margaret Newcastle, expresses her desire for critical examination of her ideas despite her self-professed lack of formal training. She acknowledges the imperfections in the first edition of her work and hints at the corrections made in this second edition. The initial chapters introduce fundamental concepts such as matter’s definitions, the relationship between motion and matter, and the necessity of a unified understanding of nature’s properties, laying the groundwork for her more complex explorations into perception, life, and the characteristics of various beings.