Paper 4 articles

In the article, “A Socially Relevant Philosophy of Science? Resources from Standpoint Theory's Controversiality,” by Sandra Harding, it addresses the controversiality of standpoint theory. Harding is a feminist philosopher that is well known for contributing to the discovery of standpoint theory. The article goes to explain what standpoint theory is, how it came about, and how it affects peoples’ thoughts. The theory is defined as an effort to develop inner-subjective discourses. Harding goes to explain that standpoint theory “organized and explained away the diverse ways women were oppressed and dominated” (Harding, 2004). This uncovers the sexism that still occurs in the world today to different extents. It also faces the question of how much of this ongoing sexism is okay, and to what degree it can be handled without it being detrimental to society.

This article also talks of the difference between dominant groups versus oppressed groups, and how their awareness varies on the above named issues. However, Harding’s focus is only on the controversiality of the standpoint feminist theory, and not whether or not it is good for a society.

Harding, Sandra. (2004). a socially relevant philosophy of science? resources from standpoint theory's controversiality . Hypatia, 19(1), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3810930?&Search=yes&term=standpoint&term=theory&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dstandpoint%2Btheory%26wc%3Don%26dc%3DAll%2BDisciplines&item=5&ttl=92755&returnArticleService=showArticle


In the second article I found, titled “’Telling the Story Her Own Way’: The Role of Feminist Standpoint Theory in Rhetorical Studies,” by Glen McClish and Jacqueline Bacon, the focus is more on how standpoint theory can affect rhetorical studies. This article states that, “from the standpoint of an oppressed group such as women is more valid than the knowledge of those in dominant positions in society” (McClish & Bacon 2002). The thought is that the voice of a marginalized group accurately reflects a deeper knowledge of dominant groups. It gives a different perspective than the ones usually given by dominant groups of society, and allows a critique of such groups.

McClish, G, & Bacon, J. (2002). "telling the story her own way": the role of feminist standpoint theory in rhetorical studies . Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 32(2), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3885975?&Search=yes&term=standpoint&term=theory&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dstandpoint%2Btheory%26wc%3Don%26dc%3DAll%2BDisciplines&item=12&ttl=92755&returnArticleService=showArticle