Feminist epistemology: "Daughters of Quine"

In: Filozofija i društvo, Band 24, Heft 3, S. 156-176

Abstract

Feminist epistemology implies an approach to the theory of knowledge, which
in its centre sets up feminist issues. The paper analyzes a recent course in
the area dealing with feminist epistemology, namely feminist empiricism.
Unlike other feminists engaged in epistemology, their goal is to keep the
basic concepts of the analytic tradition, but considered in the light of
feminist interests. Starting from Quine?s naturalized epistemology, feminist
empiricists are introducing different concepts of knowledge and the nature of
the knowers, creating a new perspective on the relationship of
sociopolitical values and scientific research. The feminist empiricist?s
advantage over feminist epistemology approaches outside the analytical
framework is precisely in accepting the naturalistic and empiricist approach
to gender biases. The aim is to evaluate how successful they are in achieving
their ideas, and whether such an approach is acceptable.