In defense of Bacon

Article Abstract:

Feminists have criticized science for being based on misogynist sexual metaphors. Several authors have singled out the work of Francis Bacon as being especially objectionable for using metaphors of torture and rape to describe science. However, closer examination suggests that the feminists have overstated their case. Bacon's metaphors are actually more ambiguous than they suggest and should not be taken so seriously. Criticisms by Sandra Harding, Carolyn Merchant and Evelyn Fox Keller are discussed.

Feminist criticism, Misogyny, Bacon, Francis (English philosopher, 1561-1626)

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Bad apples: feminist politics and feminist scholarship

Article Abstract:

Writings by a number of prominent feminists were found to have exceptional and surprising mistakes. Among these feminist writers were Ruth Bleier, Ruth Hubbard, Susan Bordo, Sandra Harding and Rae Langton. It is believed that they may have made sweeping generalities due to their political passion and not necessarily out of zeitgeist. The political passion of these feminist writers might have blinded them into ignoring traditional standards of scholarship.

Feminists, Feminist literature

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The Ghost of Wittgenstein: Forms of life, scientific method, and cultural critique

Article Abstract:

Sociologists David Bloor and Harry Collins effectively blocked outside criticism of a scientific field, whether scientific, philosophical or political by constructing scientific reasoning as rule following within a collective. Ethnomethodologist Michael Lynch developed an alternative, Wittgensteinian reading that similarly blocked philosophical or political critique, while also disallowing analytical appeals to historical or institutional context.

Works, Knowledge, Sociology of, Sociology of knowledge, Wittgenstein, Ludwig

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