Helen E. Longino

Helen Longino's research is working to develop a new approach to the role of values and socio-political context in science from a feminist perspective. She argues that socio-political values are centrally important and that properly acknowledging their importance enhances rather than detracts from scientific objectivity. In particular, she detailed case studies from the biological and behavioral sciences where traditional conceptions of gender compete with feminist conceptions to make it clear that proper scientific objectivity consists in a pluralistic appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. This new approach has made many contributions to philosophy of science, science studies, social epistemology, and feminist philosophy.