The quote above was from the 18th Century, a period that coincided with the development of “modern geography,” the enlightenment, science as we think of it today, and capitalism (depending on who you ask!). Dualistic thinking became much more deeply entrenched during this period
Dualistic thinking is a way of viewing the world wherein there are a system of opposites where one side of the opposite is always considered superior to the other
It is clear from that quote that in the dualism of man-woman, the man is the superior.
Here are other dualisms: rational-emotional, science-arts, human-animal, mind-body, quantitative-qualitative, active-passive, independent-dependent, tough-weak.
Ponder Point: Which of the above have been gendered as masculine? Which as feminine? And which are generally considered superior in our society?