A Feminist Methodology that Opposes Instrumentalist Reason and Positivism / Araçsal Akla ve Pozitivizme Karşı Çıkan Bir Feminist Metodoloji

Abstract

The reflections of positivism, the basic output in the scientific field of instrumental reasoning, are not confined to quantitative data production, but also influence the strengthening and establishment of the mainstream worldview in which patriarchy is included. It seems necessary for feminist theory and methodology, which transforms patriarchalism, to spread the voices of women both in the production of texts as scientists, and in the representations of women in the texts produced, to establish a certain distance from positivism. This study attempts to discuss the feminist methodology's ability to distance itself from traditional research methods. It is unlikely to discuss positivism and instrumental intellectual concepts in general, as feminism has different subtitles such as liberal, radical, Marxist, cultural, existentialist and postmodern. This text firstly deals with the distinctions between different feminist theories and methodologies, then attempts to address to the theses of Dorothy Smith and Sandra Harding about instrumental research methodology, positivism, and woman's position as research object and subject. The study suggests that the methodological tendencies in two feminisms are far from being mainstream, positivist and traditional and this opposition contributes not only to the cleansing of scientific method of instrumental reasoning but also to the liberation of women.

Keywords

• instrumental reason
• positivism
• feminism
• Sandra Harding
• Dorothy Smith