Sandra Harding, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Delaware and author of The Science Question in Feminism wonders why others do not take seriously feminist charges of "rape themes" rampant in the work of Sir Isaac Newton, while they do take seriously Newton's metaphors regarding nature as a machine. "Why is it not as illuminating and honest to refer to Newton's laws as 'Newton's Rape Manual,' " asks Harding, "as it is to call them 'Newton's Mechanics?' "

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