Questioning Masculinist Assumptions

Reading “The Importance of Feminist Critique for Contemporary Cell Biology” reminded me that science like all other fields should be understood and examined in context. Considering the history behind science as an academic field of study, it is important to take into consideration the findings of Aristotle reflect a particular sentiment during that time. What is startling is that the biological theories introduced many years ago almost never go challenged. For example, the theories behind egg fertilization reflected ideal male/female relationships. The male and his sperm are perceived as active and aggressive in their pursuit of the egg, while the egg appears passive, waiting for the sperm to fertilize her.
In fact, I even remember the opening scenes of Look Whose Talking starring John Travolta in which the sperm is involved in a long journey through the vagina in a fight for first admission into the egg. The fact that this theory has been repeated in stories and animated in movies illustrates how embedded this idea is in society. The problem with these theories and their dominance in the scientific field is that it becomes difficult to incorporate new findings not based on the ones introduced by Aristotle. Embracing certain views makes us ignorant of alternative views. This article illustrated the significance of feminist critique in science. It enables scholars to look into different studies and findings and find better ways of explaining biological processes without by rejecting masculinist assumptions.