Standpoint theory is a theory found in some academic disciplines which is used for analyzing
inter-subjective discourses. This body of work proposes that authority is rooted in individuals' knowledge (their
perspectives), and the power that such authority exerts.
Standpoint theory's most important concept is that an individual's own perspectives are shaped by his or her social and political experiences.
Standpoints are argued to be multifaceted rather than essentializing: for example, while Hispanic women may generally share some perspectives, particularly with regard to ethnicity or sex, they are not defined solely by these viewpoints despite some common features there is no essentially Hispanic female identity. Group experiences create a general and permanent perspective of an immense situation but without personal experiences one’s standpoint cannot become truly comprehensible.
The amalgamation of a person's many experienced dimensions form a standpoint—a point of view—through which that individual sees and understands the world.
Standpoint theorists emphasize the utility of a naturalistic
, or everyday experiential, concept of knowing (i.e.,
epistemology). One's standpoint (whether reflexively considered or not) shapes which concepts are intelligible, which claims are heard and understood by whom, which features of the world are perceptually salient, which reasons are understood to be relevant and forceful, and which conclusions credible.
[1]
Standpoint theory supports what feminist theorist
Sandra Harding calls
strong objectivity,
or the notion that the perspectives of marginalized and/or oppressed individuals can help to create more objective accounts of the world. Through the outsider-within phenomenon, these individuals are placed in a unique position to point to patterns of behavior that those immersed in the dominant group culture are unable to recognize.[2] Standpoint theory gives voice to the marginalized groups by allowing them to challenge the status quo as the outsider within. The status quo representing the dominant white male position of privilege.
Generally, standpoint theory gives insight into specific circumstances only available to the members of a certain collective standpoint. According to Michael Ryan, "the idea of a collective standpoint does not imply an essential overarching characteristic but rather a sense of belonging to a group bounded by a shared experience."
[9] Kristina Rolin states that "the assumption of essentialism is that all women share the same socially grounded perspective in virtue of being women, the assumption of automatic epistemic privilege is that
epistemic advantage accrues to the subordinate automatically, just in virtue of their occupying a particular social position."
[10] According to this approach:
- A standpoint is a place from which human beings view the world.
- A standpoint influences how the people adopting it socially construct the world.
- A standpoint is a mental position from which things are viewed.
- A standpoint is a position from which objects or principles are viewed and according to which they are compared and judged.
- The inequalities of different social groups create differences in their standpoints.
- All standpoints are partial; so (for example) Standpoint feminism coexists with other standpoints.
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