Feminist Philosophy of Social Science
This chapter offers a preliminary investigation of some of the ways that feminist philosophers have and might continue to learn from, interact with, and ultimately contribute to discussions about key issues in the social sciences. It begins with a brief history of feminist engagement with the social sciences. In next turns to consideration of two areas in which feminist work has made a difference: methodology and concept critique. Feminist standpoint methodology, as used primarily by feminist sociologists, has been influential in both of these areas. The success of standpoint theory as a feminist methodology has motivated philosophical exploration of its relationship to feminist epistemology. Another area in which feminist approaches have had an impact is feminist critique of concepts. The way the objects of inquiry are conceptualized has an impact on what research questions can be answered. Concepts that are inadequate to capturing the lived experience of women may call for revision or replacement. Standpoint theory has been influential in this area as well. The chapter concludes by considering some questions raised by standpoint theory about the identity of knowers and how intersectionality may serve as an analytical tool to aid in addressing that question.