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Sandra Harding Seeking Standpoint Epistemology Summary

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Sandra Harding addresses the critics of her standpoint theories through an explanation of why they are such an important tool in the world and how strong objectivity plays a major role in creating and addressing these theories. Her critics argue she is gender-loyal, however, she proves them wrong through her idea of objectivity. Harding goes in depth in her article, “Rethinking Standpoint Epistemology: What is “Strong Objectivity”? Objectivity is simply the quality of having a lack of favouritism or bias toward one thing over another. In this case, Harding believes that strong objectivity can be accomplished through standpoint theories. In this article Harding discusses the facts behind the many different kinds of feminism, starting with liberal …show more content…

Harding mentions the crucial importance of the stepping-stones in feminist philosophy and how these stages and elements of feminist philosophy have helped feminists arrive at where they are today. Harding’s main goal of her article was to discuss how it is a significant error to assimilate the thoughts and ideas of modern feminism to previous and older feminist theories, ideas, and movements because it makes the resources distorted and invisible when it comes to social situations (Harding p.127). Harding believed that she would be able to accomplish her goal through standpoint theories and thoughts. Standpoint theories will have the ability to have an impact on societal order through the criticism of objectivity and neutrality. Harding’s goal was to get feminist information to have a greater impact because it will generate significantly stronger societal standards for objectivity, however, Harding made it clear that it is crucial to understand the concept of objectivity is not too rigorous. On the contrary, Harding also makes it clear that if you don’t make the standards stern enough that it won't accomplish the goals that are being set out to be achieved (Harding …show more content…

Standpoint theories allow us to have a starting thought from the perspective of someone who is impacted by a certain issue or inequality in modern society. If the world can normalize the proper use of standpoint theories, it will give society the opportunity to change issues we struggle to understand or even recognize sometimes. By doing this we are showing commitment toward creating a better sense of equality or at least showing we want to take a step toward it. The other part of it is that there must be contribution from people who are part of a higher societal group in order to help the marginalized lives, which can be done greatly through strong objectivity. Standpoint theories can set stronger standards of objectivity in the world and will continue to change the world for as long as there are inequalities. There are examples in past and present societies where objectivity has allowed advancements in society, and it will continue to do so through standpoint

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Words such as ‘unspoken assumption’, ‘insidiously’,‘exaggerating’, and “preoccupation” show suspicion towards the topic of women's rights and movements . In addition, the author also gives emphasis towards the downfall of men’s rights by including details such as “special privileges and protection to women” and “men’s supposed mistreatment of women”, thus showing how the author is directly opressed by the fight for equal rights. The author sees men's rights and their struggle with oppression as them being expected to have traditional cordial manners and fall into the traditional role of the patriarchy of the family, and decides to ‘debunk’ feminism by using these few points against a legacy of hatred, oppression, and misogyny that created

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Liberalism also led to the feminist movement, which promoted birth control and a freer expression of female sexuality. The end of the war bought a fear of communism, and the progressives were mockingly called “Bolsheviks” (McGerr 307). The Progressive movement lost its strong leaders, and ended when Harding, a Republican, became president, and America reverted to an individualistic society, as evidenced by Herbert Hoover’s Inaugural Address. McGerr’s description of liberalism panders to one’s individualistic desires, which makes it apparent why it became such a popular movement. However, McGerr’s introduction of the Liberal movement doesn’t make its relationship to the Progressive movement apparent, and this relationship is only explored

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Judging the morals in life regarding different societies expectations quickly became the focus of Equality’s thoughts, exactly as Ayn Rand had made it the importance of her own efforts. Objectivism is different from what many people live by, but it worked for Equality by the end of Anthem. It is important to realize everybody needs different things, which leads to thinking diversely. Some need self-respect to be able to give respect, and others live their life following instead of leading. It is impossible however, to say objectivism needs to vanish when it never has before, more so, the world would be unbalanced with only equal thoughts from all; there would be no innovation if all thoughts were for the same narrow concept.

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