primatology – Diversity Reading List

Hrdy, Sarah Blaffer. Empathy, Polyandry, and the Myth of the Coy Female

1986, In Feminist Approaches to Science, Ruth Bleier, (ed.), New York: Pergamon.

Categories: Epistemic Injustice, Epistemology, Feminist Epistemology, Feminist Philosophy of Science, General Philosophy of Science, History of Western Philosophy, Metaphysics & Epistemology, Science Logic & Mathematics

Keywords: background assumptions, feminism, philosophy of science, primatology

Expand entry: Added by: Benny Goldberg

Introduction: For over three decades, a handful of partially true assumptions were permitted to shape the construction of general evolutionary theories about sexual selection. These theories of sexual selection presupposed the existence of a highly discriminating, exually 'coy' female who was courted by sexually undiscriminating males. Work by female primatologists undermined these assumptions.

Comment: This is an essential paper for any courses in standpoint epistemology, feminist philosophy of science, or general philosophy of science.

Difficulty: Easy

Recommended use: Introductory

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