Why did feminist epistemologists question who is treated as a credible expert?

Feminist epistemologists questioned who is treated as a credible expert because the traditional "communities of knowers"—those recognized as authorities in fields of inquiry—have historically been remarkably homogeneous, consisting primarily of white, Western, heterosexual men.1

Philosophers such as Sandra Harding, Lorraine Code, and Helen Longino argued that the standards used to grant credibility and authority are not neutral; rather, they are social constructions that reinforce the existing political and economic status quo. Because the experiences, reasoning, and testimony of marginalized groups are frequently discounted, these thinkers contend that science and philosophy of science are not as objective as they claim to be.1

To address these biases, feminist epistemologists advocate for a more inclusive epistemic community. They maintain that because knowledge always reflects the interests of the knower, the only way to approximate true objectivity is to welcome diverse voices into the process of knowledge acquisition.1