[William A. Baurle]

The wiki page for Margaret Cavendish states that she was quite familiar with scholarly and philosophical works of her period. Not only that, she authored 6 books on natural philosophy.

That flies right in the face of that bit I posted from her introduction.

I'm reminded of a video I saw of Jackie Kennedy giving a tour of the White House to some major news-person whose name I can't remember. While she's giving the tour she gives out all kinds of historical and political information. But, when asked about whether it's the government's place to advocate or support the arts, she answers, "Well, that sounds awfully complicated..." and essentially shrugs off the question and quickly switches the subject. The video can be found on YouTube.

Certain sources I've read maintain that Jackie O and President Kennedy were both history buffs, and that she was extremely smart and learned. In one interview I saw of her she says, generally, that since her husband was President it was not for her to offer any kind of commentary on political issues. Her political views, she explicitly states, she takes from her husband.

Whether that be entirely true doesn't matter so much. I think this was her way of supporting her husband as a world leader, of confirming his trustworthiness and ability.

Maybe Cavendish was doing the same thing: playing dumb while simultaneously contradicting herself in her work?