Episode 84: Standpoint Epistemology with Briana Toole
Released August 15th, 2023
What does it mean to be marginalized? Does marginalization give some people more epistemic authority than others? And, if so, what should we all do with this information? In episode 84 of Overthink, Ellie and David talk about standpoint theory, its complex intellectual history, and its relationship to W. E. B. DuBois’ concept of double consciousness. They welcome an expert on the subject: Dr. Briana Toole, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College. In their conversation, they chat about how standpoint theory makes sense of electoral politics, educational policy, bizarre reality TV, and much more. They also discuss Corrupt the Youth, a philosophy outreach program founded by Dr. Toole that brings philosophy to high schools in the U.S.
Interested in the works discussed? You can find them here:
Briana Toole, “On Standpoint Epistemology and Epistemic Peerhood” and “Demarginalizing Standpoint Epistemology”
Kate Chopin, The Awakening
W. E. B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk
Jennifer Nash, Black Feminism Reimagined
Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, Elite Capture
David Foster Wallace, This Is Water
Black. White. (2006)
