A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF EPISTEMIC TERMS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF FEMINIST EPISTEMOLOGY
ABSTRACT
This work takes a critical look at the term “Feminist epistemology” as well as their evaluation of the “epistemic terms” Feminist who are trying arguing that the quest for knowledge, which epistemology is centred on, should not be male oriented only, but that the female gender should be given an ear-say in the discus of knowledge.
The task of this project is to elucidate on the terms used in epistemology within the view-point of the feminist as opposed to the traditional epistemology. And how these terms have been able to help epistemological attempt to refute or answer the skeptical challenges that nothing can be known for certain.
Epistemic terms such as knowledge, justification, truth and falsehood, perception, subjectivism, objectivism, reason e.t.c
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
History of philosophy make scant mention of women philosophers prior to the twentieth century, For a long time it was assumed that this was due to lack of influential women philosophers. Scholars such as Mary Ellen Waithe suggested that women have been more important in the history of philosophy than is often mentioned.
Before now, women have often been excluded from prestigious area of human activity (for example, politics or science), thereby making these activities seem clearly “male”. Such areas in this 21st century can be said to have been more embracing of the “women folk”, due to the feminist clamour for equality and opportunity to be heard, rather than been sidelined and seen as inferior to men.
Female or women issues have often been at the topmost at both local and international conferences, feminism can be opposed, rejected, criticized but it cannot be ignored like religion there seems to be some amount of passion, emotion and contradiction involved in its debate. Even those who are male centered (male chauvinist) have come to realize the absurdity of not recognizing the validity of the core questions surrounding the issues of feminism.
Feminist theory applied to epistemology has resulted in a wide variety of arguments and claims, but common to all of them is the idea that gender is an important (and historically neglected) consideration for the study, critique and reconstruction of epistemology. For feminist epistemologists, traditional western epistemology is endocentric and male-biased. It fails to take women's experience and perspectives into account. Due to the existence of male domination, male norms have become dominant norms and been regarded as objective and universal standards for all. As such women's was of thinking and knowing have been considered as something inferior and invalid2. Due to this fact of traditional Western epistemology been male-centered, feminist epistemologists have share the view that it is inadequate, as knowledge is meant to be seen in a pure, abstract, universal way, detached from gender, social class and other important differences.
Although, among feminist epistemologists there are disagreements on whether there are uniform women's way of knowing in the global sphere, to what extent traditional Western epistemology is male-biased, and whether some ways of knowing are shared by both genders, but all feminist epistemology is gender-biased and that feminist criticisms of it will significantly contribute to the improvement of theories of knowledge3. As such for them, traditional epistemology is not a true representation of human unbiased epistemology.
It is to critically evaluate the above and their (feminist epistemologists) view on some of the epistemic terms that this project is being carried out and also to acknowledge the contributions of at least some women to the history of philosophy (epistemology).
1.2 Statement of Problems
The issues of feminism are always problematic and sensitive. These issues then becoming more problematic when transferred to the area of knowledge.
Looking at the problem of “power control”, where traditional epistemology has been predicated on the ideas of men, and women are gradually rising to question this inequality, which feminist epistemologists are accusing the traditional western epistemology of, because if this patriarchal nature continues, current epistemology will not be complete, but would have been guilty of male chauvinism, making it not a true representation of human knowledge. As such current epistemology is labeled as “Incomplete”. This problem will be considered in this work.
1.3 Purpose of Study
The purpose of this study though legion, we shall be looking at two;
First, it is obvious that the fight for equality can sometimes be exaggerated; equality itself is an ambiguous term that should not be interpreted univocally or equivocally but analogically. Men have told a lot of lies of their suppose superiority, women are gradually trying to counter some of these lies with their own lies. As such the search for the truth about the relationship that ought to exist between male and female should constitute the core or essence of feminism.
Lastly, knowledge is central to human awareness. Humanity comprises of both male and female. As such human knowledge should not be male centric. The purpose of this study is therefore to construct knowledge in such a way that women are excluded.
1.4 Scope of Study
This project shall in scope be limited to a critical evaluation of some epistemic perspective on such epistemic terms as knowledge, justice and injustice, belief, pragmatism, empiricism and rationalism e.t.c as in contrast to traditional western epistemology.
1.5 Methodology
Methodology makes a work to be systematic, scientific, coherent and organized. A good project ought to posses the above qualities. The method of research therefore becomes imperative in searching for the solutions to the problems in a given research.
The method here shall be both analytic and critical. Analysis involves clarification of concept for easy comprehension, while critical means not to accept assumptions but to question them until the truth stands out clear. We shall not only analyse, but shall seriously and critically evaluate the assumptions of feminist epistemology with hope of finding solutions to the problem raised under the “Statement of Problems”.
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
The review of relevant literature is the main topic of this chapter. A literature review covers theoretical and methodological contributions to a certain issue in addition to the state of knowledge at the time of writing. It provides information about the state of the art in relation to the subject you are writing about. It examines the body of work on the chosen subject. The literature evaluation in this study comprises the …
Procedure for Downloading the PDF (Docx) Material
A Critical Evaluation of Epistemic Terms Within the Context of Feminist Epistemology can be downloaded by requesting the full set of materials at the project or seminar cost. The document will be sent via Microsoft Word (MS-Word) format via WhatsApp (e-mail) following payment confirmation.
| Seminar Material Cost ₦3,000 | Project Material Cost ₦5,000 |
Request Complete Material
 | Click here to request the Complete Material via WhatsApp including;
|
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "A Critical Evaluation of Epistemic Terms Within the Context of Feminist Epistemology" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the material for “Effect of Early Childhood Education on Academic Performance of Chemistry Students” be used as a guide for Early Childhood Education Project?
Yes it can be used — Early childhood education is the term commonly used to describe the formal teaching and care of young children by people other than their family or in settings outside of the home. The study was carried out to investigate the Effect of Early Childhood Education on Academic Performance of Chemistry Students in Edo State Senior Secondary School. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to investigate the effect of early childhood in the study of science on the academic achievement of Chemistry Students and determine the methods that could be applied on the academic achievement of Chemistry Students. Investigation revealed that most of the teachers who are employed to teach at the secondary schools, do not apply …
Can the material for “Stress Coping Strategies Among Student Nurses” be used as a guide for Nursing (Science) Project?
Yes it can be used — The study was carried out to investigate the Stress Coping Strategies among Student Nurses on the safety of patients in Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta. Investigation revealed that occupational stress can no longer be considered an occasional, personal problem to be remedied with palliatives. It is becoming an increasingly global phenomenon, affecting all categories of workers, all workplaces and all countries of which nurses of Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta are not exceptional. Data for the study was gathered from both primary and secondary sources. A sample size of 80 nurses was selected using systematic random sampling method. Empirical results from the data indicate that workload, Conflict among colleagues and supervisors are other major causes of stress in nurses at Federal Medical …
Can this topic “Hindrance in Teaching and Learning School Subjects using ICT in Government Senior Secondary School” be used for Education Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The study investigates the Hindrance in Teaching and Learning School Subjects using ICT in Government Senior Secondary School in Enugu, North local Government area. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine the ICT facilities adopted in the teaching and learning of integrated science as the senior secondary school level, find out if ICT provides access to teaching aids for teaching and learning of integrated science, find out if ICT provides proper management of large number of students in teaching and learning of integrated science, investigate if ICT promotes independent studies among students in teaching learning of integrated science, and find out if ICT increases students performances in teaching and learning of integrated science in …
Can this topic “The Effect of Environmental Factors on English Language Among Secondary School Students” be used for Education Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The study examined the effect of environmental factors on English language among secondary school students in Lagos. The study employed the survey design and the purposive sampling technique to select 450 students in secondary schools in Oshodi-Isolo Local government, Lagos state. A well-constructed questionnaire, which was adjudged valid and reliable, was used for collection of data from the respondents. The data obtained through the administration of the questionnaires was analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis. The results revealed that: There is availability of learning resources used in the schools. The learning environment affects the acquisition of English language positively. There is positive and significant relationship between environmental factors and English language (r=0.772; p<0.05). There is significant difference between environmental factors …
Can this topic “Design and Implementation of a Market Survey Reporting System” be used for Computer Science (CS) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — Market survey is a pivotal part of the marketing process, it helps businesses identify consumer needs and wants so a company can develop and promote products more successfully. The aim of the study is to Design and Implement a Market Survey Reporting System that will report and evaluate market survey to enhance company status in a competitive marketing. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to design and develop an application software that will: deliver quality goods required by the customer the target of achieving maximum customer satisfaction at minimum possible cost, provide important information to identify and analyze the market size, consumers behaviour and periodic sales evaluation, ensure maximum utilization of any available resources in …
Can the material for “Knowledge, Accessibility and Use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Among Students and Teachers” be used as a guide for Nursing (Science) Project?
Yes it can be used — People over time, have devised various techniques for communicating their thoughts, needs and desires to others in every aspect of life. The emergence of ICT has affected all aspects of human life, including education at all levels. ICT knowledge, accessibility and use are linked with higher efficiency and higher productivity. Undergraduate nursing students and their teachers occupy a central position in both educational and health care systems of any country. This study was carried out to investigate the knowledge, accessibility and use of ICT among students and teachers in the Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used. All the 454 undergraduate students in the Department of Nursing and 23 teachers comprised …
Is the topic “The Role of Internal Auditing on Management’s Control Success” recommended for Accounting Technology Project?
Yes it is highly recommended — This study was to examine and find out the role of auditing on management’s control success with a particular reference to the Department of Audit, Ministry of Finance, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. To achieve this objective, four research questions and three research hypotheses were formulated to guide the researcher study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages and tables to analyze research questions, and Chi-square statistical tool was used for testing the research hypotheses. A structured questionnaire was used as the major instrument for data collection from the staff and management of Department of Audit, Ministry of Finance, Uyo. After careful analysis of the data, the following findings were revealed that; auditing enhances accountability in public sector in Nigeria. …
Can the material for “Effects of Total Quality Management on Productivity Using the Probit Model” be used as a guide for Accountancy / Accounting Project?
Yes it can be used — The broad objective of this research work is to take a critical look at the principle of total quality management so as to find out how its implementation will affect an organization’s productivity and profitability. For the purpose of this study, the researcher limited its data to those of the Skye Bank Plc and her customers. The researcher used survey method to investigate the effects of Total Quality Management on productivity using the probit model: a case study of Skye Bank Plc Edo State. …
Can the material for “ISO-Safety Design of Flat Slabs in Accordance with Eurocode 2” be used as a guide for Civil Engineering Project?
Yes it can be used — This research work focuses on the development of Iso-safety design charts for flexural design of flat slabs at predefined reliability levels in accordance with Eurocode 2 (2004) design criteria. Constitutive models for reinforcing steel and concrete were selected in accordance with the Eurocode 2 design requirements and subsequently the flexural limit state function was derived. Charts were developed for the flexural design of rectangular reinforced concrete sections with respect to the position of neutral axis () for each concrete grade (fck) and steel grade (fyk). Uncertainties in loading and geometrical properties were obtained and a program was developed taken into consideration EC2 design requirements, a safety index β value of 1.81 was achieved for various points on each of the generated …
Can the material for “Masquerade of Afiolu Festival in Nnewi” be used as a guide for Fine Arts Project?
Yes it can be used — This study was carried out to assess the masquerade of Afiolu festival in Nnewi LGA of Anambra state. The study revealed that Anambra state has a lot of tourism attractions that are innumerable because the state has twenty-one local government areas with over two hundred towns but emphasis was laid on the Afolu festival in Nnewi LGA. It will be pertinent to say that large scale tourism development must or definitely will involve the local people otherwise it will hamper the progress of tourism development at the long-run and some of the dangers of non-community involvement are: overstretching of limited resources in rural area, defacing of natural attractions, altering the natural surface, environmental pollution, restiveness and hostility to mention but …