Evaluate the contentions of standpoint epistemology Essay Example

withstands scrutiny better (Abbott, 2005). A point of view serves as an epistemological approach aimed at facilitating change through the transfer of knowledge. Today's feminist standpoint theory seeks to uncover "epistemic privilege" supporting women's viewpoints.Despite criticisms from some experts about feminist standpoint theorists attempting to represent a single female viewpoint without recognizing the diversity of women's perspectives (Harding, 2004;1991), it is necessary to compare traditional and modern viewpoints in the context of feminist standpoint epistemology. According to Cassandra L. Pinnick in 2003, the traditional belief was that scientific discipline involves an objective, political, impersonal investigation aimed at maximizing power to achieve scientific objectives. However, Harding argued against this view by stating that objectivity in scientific research is a delusion and therefore a contradiction because it is too strict to be objective.

Abortion is a contentious subject within the context of standpoint epistemology as it creates disputes. The feminist perspective draws connections between experience and knowledge through identifying and understanding both the struggle and rational challenges firsthand. As such, women who do this have a much clearer perspective than male researchers. In relation to abortion specifically, women who have personally experienced the issue hold a deeper understanding of its problems, harm, and bias than passive observers due to their specific experiences versus pure observation.MariAnna [4] underscores the significance of tangible experiences as a vital source of information for knowledge acquisition. Feminist epistemology, according to Sandra Harding, recognizes that women are "agents of cognition" (MariAnna 2002) and possess fluidity allowing them to multitask and accomplish multiple tasks concurrently. MariAnna stresses the differentiation between methods and methodology where the latter has deep roots in an epistemological approach to research.

Feminist methodology within inquiry is rooted in feminist beliefs and theories that offer a more comprehensive range of thinking concerning the subject under review. Pamela Abbot et al note conflicting areas of knowledge within feminism, particularly those pertaining to perspective epistemology and post-modernism as they strive towards unity integration questions about who exactly possesses "the ultimate authority on truth?" (Pamela Abbott 2005) remain unanswered due to an element of relativism present in multiple perspective approaches. Abbott et al conclude with arguments supporting complete rethinking of sociological understanding thoroughly inclusive of feminist perspectives necessary due to systematic prejudice and distortion existing within male-dominated mainstream knowledge rendering mainstream sociology inadequate.The scientific discipline has historically overlooked women and distorted their contributions, making it necessary to examine the advancements and contributions made by female researchers and sociologists for integration into the overall body of knowledge. This transformational process requires reform to ensure that concepts and questions become more focused on the subject's issues. Best (5) explored research from an epistemological perspective, examining how white feminists have suppressed black women's knowledge. Additionally, attention was drawn towards the homosexual and lesbian communities in the 1990s with the emergence of post-modernist "Queer Theory," which suggested that "biological sex" was part of social construction along with gender. Ownership of certain organs defined a binary world between men or women (Best 2005). Sirmondo [6] explains that point of view theory is founded upon privilege rather than being just a different perspective.The focus is on understanding gender and sexual discrimination from a female perspective to enable women to identify overlooked discrimination. This is particularly important when women challenge male favoritism politically. According to Sismondo (2010),

those who view social restraints as oppressive can recognize them more easily than those who cannot see them. Sociologists have become disconnected from mainstream scientific philosophy, with social science remaining impartial to truth, falseness, reason, unreason, success or failure (Bloor, 7). The desire for detachment has led researchers to consider perspective epistemology as a means of escaping relativism and neutrality (Iorio, 2009). Standpoint feminism and postmodern feminism debates revolve around power and agency while structural feminists question the validity of women's experiences relying on liberal feminist language. Standpoint theories assume fixed truths about insights gained from experiences that are both valid and reliable sources of information.The experiences of those with fixed identities are limited in terms of oppression, which they express through traditional power relations that categorize women. This is contrasted with the current debates in epistemology, where political activism in Chile responds directly to gender experience. Historically, Chilean women have been confined to a specific social position called 'marianismo.' Despite criticism of postmodernism, relativism is gaining momentum (adapted from Carole Ruth McCann 2003 and Tetreault 2000). Sociological theory has made significant progress over the past two decades, particularly feminist theory. Feminist epistemology emerged from analyzing various perspectives and voices of feminism with an emphasis on gender identity and subjectivity. Many women hybridize epistemologies to avoid criticism and broaden their voices. In Chilean society, women possess diverse views on numerous subjects and are considered highly civilized. The postmodern feminist perspective empowers Latin American women to openly express genuine feminist views. According to Dietz (2003), feminine citizenship's meaning has been debated extensively.Epistemology is the science of knowledge and knowledge acquisition, drawing from various fields including sociology

and psychology. Feminist epistemology explores knowledge specific to women. The term "female epistemology" refers to a perspective that incorporates the experiences and knowledge of adult women, encompassing both cognition and personal experiences to create a distinct female voice. Recently, there has been an expansion in the definition of epistemology to include previously ignored countries in traditional research constructs.

Historically, discussions about female epistemology have focused on clashes related to female liberation and societal subjugation of women. The aim is to recognize their contributions to social sciences and incorporate them into conventional research frameworks. Feminist perspective theories suggest that gender creates societal differences in how knowledge is obtained, with the goal being a better understanding of how essential knowledge is acquired and how female perspectives can be included in mainstream discourse.

However, despite efforts by proponents within the field, feminist perspective theory has often been overshadowed by traditional scientific doctrines leading to discomfort among some feminists within this discipline. Some feminist empiricists point out that scientific knowledge is socially situated which has led to an increasing convergence between feminist empiricist philosophy and perspective feminism.The journal Hypatia has been the source of documentation for multiple scholars who have presented arguments. Sociologists have distinguished between standpoint feminism and the philosophy of feminine empiricists in their interpretation of perspective claims. Feminine empiricism is concerned with scientific proofs, while standpoint feminism explores science as a phenomenon, both aiming to promote diversity. Psychoanalysis, feminist theories, and postmodern doctrines are independent methods of thought that offer varying perspectives on social issues. Jane Flax describes feminist theory as a bounded area of rational discourse where practitioners reach consensus. The ongoing debate surrounding who qualifies as

a feminist theorist highlights the importance of examining gender and distinguishing female issues from male-centric ones. The aim of feminist theories is to recover aspects in society that have been suppressed by male-dominated perspectives, facilitated through transformative thinking about dignity, stereotypes, and classification systems concerning women's roles. Karl Marx's concept regarding power and its relation to societal structures greatly influences feminist theory.The relationship between power dynamics and gender identity is strong, and feminist thought can be aligned with postmodernism or conventional epistemology. "Female epistemology" usually aligns with the latter, but this creates conflict. Miranda Fricker believes that feminist postmodernism has enriched social science knowledge and raised awareness of social identity complexities, showing that an ontology focused solely on class is insufficient. Feminist perspectives cover a wide range of matters concerning science and society, including those from historically marginalized groups whose views have significantly influenced inquiry practices. Despite this progress, some individuals still perceive feminism as jeopardizing scientific objectivity. Sandra Harding argues that if all knowledge is socially constructed, it poses a risk to scientific inquiry since many scientists view their perceptions of the natural world as objective despite their professional training.According to Holland et al, feminist perspectives are often both theoretical and political, making it difficult for them to separate politics from epistemology. These authors also highlight distinctions between pragmatism and empiricist philosophy, as well as the impact of gender on feminist viewpoints. To generate accepted opinions on a subject, feminists require knowledge beyond mere theoretical epistemology related to their research. In 2002, Caroline RamazanoC§lu explored Sandra Harding's standpoint epistemology perspective and its deviation from traditional research constructs. Harding introduced a new construct called "strong

objectiveness" that considers societal values and involvement in research instead of the weak construct of "objectivism," which negates these aspects. From a feminist perspective, Harding advocates for this new theory because women's experiences and viewpoints contribute more diversely towards enhanced objectivity. She acknowledges that certain societal values could have adverse effects on research results leading to possible deformations. This approach does not represent a foundation of knowledge but presents a hybrid approach between objectiveness and relativism.Harding argues that traditional research constructs rejecting societal values represent a denial of humanity's best beliefs. Although critics have claimed that hybridization cannot address generalization, Dorothy E Smith, renowned for developing feminist theories from a point of view epistemology perspective, is an influential figure in the field. Smith developed theories and constructs around gender by analyzing 'ruling texts' written from a male viewpoint which define societal norms. Examples include The US Constitution, The Holy Bible, and Communist Manifesto. She argued that opinions expressed in these texts contradict women's current lives and create impetus for transformation and change. In 2010 Ryan B Johnson summarized standpoint epistemology and noted Patricia Collins as a significant contributor to the field. As ASA President, Collins discussed white privilege in feminist society and widened gender discourse by including racial factors since black women face universal subjugation due to their history of slavery, discrimination, and oppression. [9][10][11][12]According to Alison Wylie, Standpoint theory is rooted in social and political thought, with Sandra Harding and Nancy Harsock being the most notable contributors. This theory holds that women's perspectives are more impactful than those of other oppressed groups such as homosexuals, lesbians, and Jews. Grebowicz notes that this theory

remains influential in societal and political thought today. Female epistemology practitioners argue that men can exhibit bias and exclusion towards women which has led to their disadvantage in areas such as research access, epistemic authority, knowledge styles and types, self-serving male domination, theories of social phenomena which neglect female interests or even create class divisions and hierarchies. Although progress has been made in Western countries to address these issues women still face oppression globally including in the Middle East, Africa Asia Latin America Muslim-speaking countries among others.Despite the negative ways in which it can be used, the internet has provided women with a platform to connect and discuss topics like lifestyle, oppression, and social interaction on a global scale. While some countries like China and certain Middle Eastern nations have used communication to exclude women and gain political power, feminist groups are advocating for recognition of women's rights worldwide. However, there are cultural relativists and human rights activists who oppose this approach as they see it as an attempt to impose Western cultural beliefs on others. This perspective is misguided because issues such as gender inequality, racial discrimination, and subjugation affect people universally around the world (Kim 2010).