Scientists as (Not) Knowing Subjects: Unpacking Standpoint Theory and Epistemological Ignorance from a Psychological Perspective

Abstract

In this chapter we reflect on ways in which scientists’ social positions and subjectivities afford opportunities or obstacles to knowledge. Starting from the observation that psychology has until now rarely been used to contribute to feminist science and technology studies, we ask how epistemological concepts developed by feminist and critical race theorists may be further developed by considering psychological processes. Focusing on feminist standpoint theory and analyses of epistemological ignorance we first discuss the relations between social position, experience, and knowledge or lack thereof. Drawing on social psychological and psychoanalytic reflections and studies we then illustrate how social position is translated into lack of knowledge about systems of oppression and privilege and we ask how this process may be disrupted by “affective shifts.” We conclude with some preliminary ideas on how scientists may use reflexivity and affective dissonance in order to identify and tackle their own psychological mechanisms of not knowing or ignorance in their relation to social positions of oppression or privilege.