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Science Education for Women: Situated Cognition, Feminist Standpoint Theory, and the Status of Women in Science

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Abstract

This paper examines the relation between situated cognition theory in science education, and feminist standpoint theory in philosophy of science. It shows that situated cognition is an idea borrowed from a long since discredited philosophy of science. It argues that feminist standpoint theory ought not be indulged as it is a failed challenge to traditional philosophy of science. Standpoint theory diverts attention away from the abiding educational and career needs of women in science. In the interest of women in science, and in the interest of science, science educators would do best for their constituencies by a return to feminist philosophy understood as the demand for equal access and a level playing field for women in science and society.

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Notes

  1. See Harding (1998); but also, Harding (2004), Klee (1997), and Pinnick (1994, 2000, 2008), and Pinnick et al. (2003).

  2. See Science journal 1992 and 1993.

  3. See the Chronicle of Higher Education (2004).

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Correspondence to Cassandra L. Pinnick.

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Pinnick, C.L. Science Education for Women: Situated Cognition, Feminist Standpoint Theory, and the Status of Women in Science. Sci & Educ 17, 1055–1063 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-008-9153-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-008-9153-7

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