Philosophy of Science after Feminism: (Studies in Feminist Philosophy)

In this monograph Janet A. Kourany argues for a philosophy of science more socially engaged and socially responsible than the philosophy of science we have now. The central questions feminist scientists, philosophers, and historians have been raising about science during the last three decades form Kourany's point of departure and her response to these questions builds on their insights. This way of approaching science differs from mainstream philosophy of science in two crucial respects: it locates science within its wider societal context rather than treating science as if it existed in a social, political, and economic vacuum; and it points the way to a more comprehensive understanding of scientific rationality, one that integrates the ethical with the epistemic. Kourany develops her particular response, dubbed by her the ideal of socially responsible science, beyond the gender-related questions and contexts that form its origins and she defends it against a variety of challenges, epistemological, historical, sociological, economic, and political. She ends by displaying the important new directions philosophy of science can take and the impressive new roles philosophers of science can fill with the approach to science she offers.

Table of Contents:
1.: A Feminist Primer For Philosophers of Science 2.: The Legacy of Twentieth Century Philosophy of Science 3.: What Feminist Science Studies Can Offer 4.: Challenges from Every Direction 5.: The Prospects of Twenty-first Century Philosophy of Science References Index

About the Author :
Janet Kourany is Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Notre Dame.

Review :
"This is an excellent introduction to philosophy of science as a challenged and challenging terrain, and a rallying call for the return, or proliferation, of the public intellectual."--Anna Mudde, University of Regina, Canada, Philosophy in Review "All of us in the field should take what Kourany says seriously and do our best to take part in the kinds of work she identifies in her excellent book." --John Forge, Sydney University, Australia, Notre Dame Philosophical Review "This is an excellent and valuable book. Philosophy of science should matter-science is the dominant knowledge system of our age, and philosophers are supposed to be experts on knowledge--but it's sometimes hard to believe that a lot of it matters at all. Kourany here makes a serious and uncompromising attempt to figure out how we got to this point, and what we should do about it. This is the kind of book that should be widely read and talked about by students of philosophy of science as well as by professionals."--John Dupré, University of Exeter, United Kingdom, Perspectives on Science "The book and its SRS [Socially Responsible Science] ideal have much to recommend them. Kourany demonstrates the ongoing relevance of the tradition of feminist epistemology and philosophy of science and argues compellingly for considering the social responsibilities of science and philosophy of science."--Matthew Brown, University of Texas at Dallas, U.S.A., Philosophical Studies