“mechanical ingenuity”

This passage is from Hale’s Manners.
She introduces this concept in “Men and Women” on page 33 of the reader. This section of her writing deals with the different roles of men and women; specifically, Hale believes men were given “mechanical ingenuity”- the ability to discover the natural laws of science, and apply these to their own inventions and constructions. However, Hale explains that this has not truly helped mankind. On the contrary, “we are slow to learn that the real progress of humanity must have its root in moral goodness.” Hale then explains that this task of providing an environment conducive to morality is the responsibility of women, a task "superior to mechanical invention".

-Jacob Erickson