Alcoff, Linda Martín. On Judging Epistemic Credibility: Is Social Identity Relevant?
1999, Philosophic Exchange 29(1), pp. 73-93.
Added by: Clotilde Torregrossa, Olivia Maegaard Nielsen
Abstract: In assessing the likely credibility of a claim or judgment, is it ever relevant to take into account the social identity of the person who has made the claim? There are strong reasons, political and otherwise, to argue against the epistemic relevance of social identity. However, there are instances where social identity might be deemed relevant, such as in determinations of criminal culpability where a relatively small amount of evidence is the only basis for the decision and where social prejudices can play a role in inductive reasoning. This paper explores these issues.
Comment: This essay asks the question of whether and how the identity of a knower should be taken into account when judging their epistemic credibility. It explores different ways in which such a relationship might be understood and concludes that it is not irrational to take the identity of the knower into account. While her starting point is in the legal context of jury selection, the question applies much more broadly to (social) epistemological questions. It also shows why it is helpful to take social relations into account in epistemological inquiries. The text would therefore be suitable to read in many different contexts, but for example, in seminars on social epistemology, on identity, or on metaphilosophical questions.