Feminist Standpoint Theory

Abstract

Feminist standpoint theory is a broad categorization that includes somewhat diverse theories ranging from Hartsock's feminist historical materialist perspective, to Haraway's analysis of situated knowledges, Collins' black feminist thought, Sandoval's explication of third world feminists' differential oppositional consciousness, and Smith's everyday world sociology for women. Knowledge generated from embodied standpoints of subordinates is powerful in that it can help transform traditional categories of analyses that originate from dominant groups. However, as many feminist standpoint theorists argue, it remains only a partial perspective. Given standpoint theory's emphasis on a process of dialogue, analysis, and reflexivity, the approach has proven extremely vibrant and open to reassessment and revision. As a consequence, standpoint theory remains an extremely important approach within feminist theory.