Postmodernist and Feminist Criticism of Scientific Approaches
Historically, feminists and postmodernists have criticized scientific methods in their theory of their practice. The scientific method refers to studying foundations, effects, and assumptions of natural science as opposed to social science. It implies research methods and assumptions of natural sciences are equally important in all disciplines, including philosophy. The scientific criteria include forming a hypothesis with a logical criteria, testability and falsiability, empirical evidence and through a scientific method, (Ramiz, 2016). This paper seeks to adress feminist and post modernists reasons for critiquing the scientific approach, its practices, and its continued disregard of objective facts in social settings. Hartsock (1997) claims he agrees that the scientific method is determined by figures considered to be powerful in the society. Science also determines what ideologies are to be deemed correct in the society, which the author argues does not neccessarily mean they are correct (Hartsock, 1997).
Post modernism is defined as a group of select movements and trends that developed in the 1970’s, and share a common rejection of principles and practices of modernism, which is characterised by a return to traditional methods practices and self reference. According to (Abdulazim, 2016), post modernism refers to abandoning traditional tools and ideas such as ethnicity, culture and social class in analysis of relations at society or state in relations, dependency foundations, power control and their limits. It’s closely associated with media development and to undermine western histoery of domination, segregation and exploitation. For years the scientific method has been used to relate to natural phenomena but post modernists have began to question. Feyaberend claims the procedure of acquiring scientific knowledge is not governed by any universal rules and (Kuhn, 1962) strongly supports this argument when he poses the question; “how can we trust science if it is not a gradual process in search of knowledge but rather political orders in the Western Countries?”. These questions and arguments are quite compelling and lad to the conclusion that the mission of science to determine truth and lies is significantly compromised.
Postmodernists claim that science marginalises people of color. South African students rejected the scientific body entirely claiming witchcraft is not different from Newton’s law and should be treated with equal validity. This stigmatization of some groups of people yet scientific facts considered empirical are by a group of people. Recent research on climate has been controversial with some claiming it may lead to a catastrophe and others claim that there is no risk. These different findings clearly indicate manipulation of the absolute truth by politics and deems the scientific method questionable (Bergkamp, 2016).
The feminist approach emphasizes on the importance of gender equality when forming philosophical concepts and tackling problems, reflecting on how traditional philosophies neglected womens opinions, contribution or ability. It promotes philosophies that advocate equality of genders.Wylie (2012), argues that in the last twenty years science has been key to understanding womens lives although some scientific assertions are based on masculinity in terms of opportunities provided whereas in reality women are equally capable . Sandra Hardin, an epistomology philosopher explores how certain bodies in Western science and exclusion of those she refers to as “others” in the science field (Harding, 2016). The author asserts that there would be need a need to investigate past scientific research. Feminism is a modification of marxism to address the oppression and inhumane treatment of women in the patriachial societythat is equated to capitalism. The dominant class is considered superior mentally and the less “slaves” creating division of labor due to availability of materials and resources and the economically powerful have greater ability in the world which is compared to how women are subjected to household and other basic chores and men other jobs deemed more masculine. These assertions raise concerns as to how much those left out would have been beneficial or how much was ignored that would have been beneficial.
Since the 19th century, critiques of early science projects are trying to find modern medical and scientific explanations to homosexuality from discussions of women and proffessional insight (Philips, 2001). Past scientific research is blamed for neglecting to address openly the diverse sexual preferences by naturalising it instead of treating it as a pathological process.
Conclusion
Post modernists and feminicts have played a great role in exposing and cricizing the scientific method. They potray it as a tool for political manipulation putting the society at risk and prompting precaution to redefine science specifically some objective facts. For example the climate threat is painted by Trump as a hoax and he is able to scientifically argue this assertion. In light of these battles there has been a creation of a post modernist social science, indepedent research and with the inclusive approach in global development of science reevaluation of some scientific facts.
Post modernism and feminism try to explain the current situation in science but not in entirity.
References
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Encyclopedia Britannica. 2020. Philosophical Feminism. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophical-feminism> [Accessed 30 April 2020].
Harding, S. (2016). Whose science? Whose knowledge?: Thinking from women’s lives. Cornell University Press.
Phillips, J. L. (2001). The politics of lesbian” nature”: A feminist critique of scientific knowledge and practice.
Ramiz, R. (2016). New Perspective for the Philosophy: Re-Construction & Definition of the New Branches of Philosophy. Philosophy, 6(6), 305-336.
Wylie, A. (2012, November). Feminist philosophy of science: Standpoint matters. In Proceedings and Addresses of the American Philosophical Association (Vol. 86, No. 2, pp. 47-76). American Philosophical Association.