The Feminism Question in the Philosophy of Science

Abstract

My title is a reflection of Sandra Harding’s The Science Question in Feminism (1986). Her science question in feminism is this: Feminist claims of masculine bias in science are often themselves based on scientific studies, particularly the findings of various social sciences. But if the claims or methods of science are in general as suspect as many feminists claim, then appeals to scientific findings to support charges of bias are undercut. In short, is it possible simultaneously to appeal to the authority of science while issuing general challenges to that same authority?