What question did this study set out to answer?

The article aims to examine the interplay between scientific objectivity and societal norms, particularly in the context of paternity testing and misogyny.

January 25, 2026

Scientific objectivity and social mores: Paternity testing, illegitimacy and misogyny in Constance Pascal’s ‘La Goutte de Sang’ (1935–1936)

Key Points

The article aims to examine the interplay between scientific objectivity and societal norms, particularly in the context of paternity testing and misogyny.
Analysis of the historical and social context surrounding Constance Pascal’s filmscript.
Examination of Pascal’s personal biographical background and psychiatric career.
Discussion of the philosophical arguments presented in ‘La Goutte de Sang’ regarding science and social reform.
Highlighting the routine misogyny present in scientific environments.
Identifying injustices to women and children stemming from male irresponsibility in relation to paternity issues.
Concluding that Pascal believed in science as a means of promoting humane principles despite societal challenges.

Abstract

This article examines the French historical, scientific, social and biographical background to Constance Pascal’s filmscript ‘La Goutte de Sang’ concerning the search for a reliable paternity test. The philosophical argument is between adherence to scientific truth against entrenched social custom. Pascal’s filmscript highlights routine misogyny in the scientific workplace and the injustices to women and children of male sexual irresponsibility. I analyse the relation between Pascal’s personal life, her psychiatric career and the filmscript’s critique of scientific efforts at social reform, concluding with her enduring belief in the value of science based on humane principles.

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Scientific objectivity and social mores: Paternity testing, illegitimacy and misogyny in Constance Pascal’s ‘La Goutte de Sang’ (1935–1936)

Key Points

Abstract

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