1st Edition

Feminist Epistemology and Philosophy of Science An Introduction

By Sharon Crasnow, Kristen Intemann Copyright 2024
    164 Pages
    by Routledge

    164 Pages
    by Routledge

    Feminist Epistemology and Philosophy of Science: An Introduction is structured around six questions and the answers to them that have been offered by feminist epistemologists and philosophers of science. By showing how these answers differ from those of traditional philosophical approaches, the book situates feminist work in relation to philosophy more generally.

    The questions are: Who knows? What do we have knowledge of? How do we know? What don’t we know? Why does it matter? and How can we know better? In addressing these questions, the book reviews feminist accounts of objectivity, agnotology, issues in social epistemology--including epistemic injustice--and considers how feminist epistemology and philosophy of science aim at better knowledge production. The audience for the book is upper division undergraduates, but it will be useful as a foundation for graduate students and other philosophers who are seeking a general understanding of feminist work in these areas.

    Key Features:

    • Provides an overview of contemporary feminist epistemology and philosophy of science
    • Contrasts feminist epistemology and philosophy of science with traditional philosophy in these areas
    • Provides clear examples of the benefits of feminist approaches
    • Includes in each chapter an initial overview and, at the end of the chapter, suggested additional readings and discussion questions

    Preface

    1. What is feminism and what does it have to do with science?

    2. Who Knows?

    3. What do we have knowledge of? 

    4. How do we know?

    5. What don’t we know?

    6. Why does it matter what we know?

    7. How Can We Know Better?

    Index

    Biography

    Sharon Crasnow is Distinguished Professor Emerita at Norco College in Southern California, USA. Her main area of research is the relationship between methodology and epistemology in the sciences. She is co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Feminist Philosophy of Science (with Kristen Intemann).

    Kristen Intemann is a Professor of Philosophy in the Department of History and Philosophy and Director for the Center for Science, Technology, Ethics and Society at Montana State University, USA. Her research and teaching interests include feminist philosophy and philosophy of science, particularly issues of objectivity, values in science, and epistemic trust.