Why do feminist philosophers of science argue that social values influence research goals?

Feminist philosophers of science argue that social values influence research goals because science is fundamentally a social enterprise. Because scientific institutions are embedded within a broader society, they often absorb and reflect that society's existing power structures and hierarchies, including the privileged position of men.1

This influence manifests in several ways:

• Institutional Bias: Because the epistemic community—the group recognized as experts—has historically been homogeneous (predominantly white, Western, heterosexual men), the standards for credibility and authority often reinforce the political and economic status quo.2
• Goal Setting: The values held by the dominant group in society shape which scientific achievements are prioritized and what goals are set for research.1
• Knowledge Construction: Feminist philosophers, such as Sandra Harding, argue that knowledge is never truly value-free; it inevitably reflects the interests and social backgrounds of the knowers.2

Consequently, these philosophers contend that achieving a more robust objectivity requires welcoming diverse voices into the scientific community to ensure a more inclusive and accurate body of data.12