In this thesis I propose a practical framework for a feminist science by seeking to ground feminist theories in an understanding of the practice of science. There are two inter-linking themes. The first concerns relating feminist epistemologies of science to an understanding of how the practice of science is gendered. This understanding is then developed in the second theme, namely, feminist strategies for change. These issues are explored further in two empirical studies which investigate experiences and perceptions of the next generation of scientists (undergraduate science students) and women practitioners who are sympathetic to feminism and science. Part 1 reviews feminist literature that addresses the position of women in science, the relationships between gender and science, and feminist epistemologies of science. I identify, and explore empirically in Part 2, limitations in the various theories. These fall under two main headings. First, the relationship between male domination of science and masculinity, focusing in particular, on the social construction of masculinity within science and differences in scientific practice. Second, I investigate the gap between theory and practice in feminist epistemologies of science, covering four main issues: the role of the individual feminist scientist within the scientific community; the tension between relativism and objectivism in a feminist methodology; the organisation of a feminist science; and the relationship between a feminist scientific community and the wider society.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:653319 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Kerr, E. Anne |
| Publisher | University of Edinburgh |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/1842/20604 |
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