For those of you interested I found an intriguing read about animal standpoint theory.
The link is posted below:
http://www.stateofnature.org/theRevolutionaryImplications.html
Monday, December 3, 2012
Q&A #9: Question two
My second question this week is whether there is anything notable contribution that is made by standpoint theory. As we discussed earlier there are a number of difficulties and questions raised by trying to approach a practical application of this concept. I do believe that if anything gained by standpoint theory is that it seems to encourage an empathetic approach to gathering knowledge. What I mean is that it seems to promote the idea of trying to understand the particular experience of a person or group of persons, to more fully comprehend why they arrive at the conclusions they do and what evidence is used. I am unsure if this is a necessary quality when trying to arrive at truth but it at least promotes a more open dialogue in which a persons unique experiences are given some appropriate attention. I will try and think this over more but I do believe an empathetic approach to understanding another person would be preferred than one in which the circumstances of one's life are considered trivial.
Q&A #9: Question One
My first question this week was one that I proposed to the class during our discussion today about whether there was any value in the various blanket terms we use to classify people and cultural groups by race, class, gender etc. From the discussion I gathered a few points it seems we all agreed on in principle:
1) There is value in the unique experience every individual faces
2) The terms we use often do not encompass the many persons within a cultural group, but rather generalizes the experience of these persons by labeling them with said terms
3) There is not often times not a unified belief or experience shared by all members in a group
4) By claiming that certain issues are specific to cultural groups, it isolates that group by reinforcing the differences between these social groups over their shared experiences and difficulties
Think I got most of it but feel free to add or clarify anything I posted here.
1) There is value in the unique experience every individual faces
2) The terms we use often do not encompass the many persons within a cultural group, but rather generalizes the experience of these persons by labeling them with said terms
3) There is not often times not a unified belief or experience shared by all members in a group
4) By claiming that certain issues are specific to cultural groups, it isolates that group by reinforcing the differences between these social groups over their shared experiences and difficulties
Think I got most of it but feel free to add or clarify anything I posted here.
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