Alfred and Evelyn: A Comparison of Alfred N. Whitehead’s and Evelyn Fox Keller’s Philosophy of Science

Abstract

According to feminist standpoint theory, or feminist epistemology, a person’s standpoint shaped by social factors such as gender, is an important characteristic that can affect the knowledge she will produce. Feminist standpoint theory has had a lasting impact upon feminist philosophy of science and science itself but since its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s has slowly faded. This chapter claims that in order to become relevant and face the criticism that led to its decline, Feminist standpoint theory must establish a way of identifying a standpoint. In this chapter, such a methodology will be proposed based on insights drawn from comparing the work and lives of two philosophers of science; Evelyn Fox Keller and Alfred North Whitehead. Fox Keller’s work in the philosophy of biology stresses the importance of organismic thought and its connection to feminist thought. Whitehead’s philosophy of science stresses the need for a natural science based on concepts drawn from our daily lives. Later he develops his Philosophy of the Organism, which became part of his Process Philosophy. Keller has not been influenced directly by Whitehead, yet their philosophies are similar. This similarity might be due to some shared influences, however these are not evident from reviewing their cited sources or philosophical traditions. This raises the question—is there a correlation between their social experiences and conceptions of science? Delving into Whitehead’s biography reveals feminist influences in his life that, along with the similarities between his writing and Keller’s, point to both sharing a common standpoint. Based on this discovery, this chapter suggests a methodology for identifying an author’s standpoint based on considering both his writing and biographical background.