Good theory or just theory? Toward a Feminist Philosophy of Social Science

Abstract

How can we make a case for sex equality if history has been unjust and our method of empiricism ties us to history? Some feminists have argued that we cannot, and that we must, therefore, look to other methods. This paper examines the problem. First we examine the structure of value—oriented just—in the sense of social justice—theory. Feminist theory, we claim, is a subset of just theory with an additional criterion that it be consciousness-raising. Consciousness-raising here is defined as a conviction based on evidence that sexual equality is a viable option in human history. Two examples of just theory are examined: Myrdal's research on racial equality and peace research. A third method, simulation, is examined. Simulation offers the best possibility of transcending historical inequality without sacrificing the strength of the empirical tradition. In terms of the intellectual skills required, simulation is the most androgynous, and, thus, the method of the future.