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FEMINISM, STANDPOINT

A perspective influenced by the sociology of knowledge that claims less powerful members of society are able to achieve a more complete view of social reality than are others. Less powerful groups, like women and minorities, may be less incorporated into the reward system of society and more clear sighted and critical about its inequalities and deficiencies. The sociology of knowledge assumption behind this is the idea that knowledge is socially constructed and shaped by the social position occupied by the knower. It follows then that the point of view of the researcher is also shaped by their position in society and standpoint feminism acknowledges this and claims for it a positive role in contributing to a rounded understanding of the character of the society. This acknowledgment is a rejection of traditional notions of objectivity. See: SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE / .

Last updated 2002--0-9-

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© Robert Drislane, Ph.D. and Gary Parkinson, Ph.D.
The online version of this dictionary is a product of
Athabasca University and
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*This social science dictionary has 1000
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