The Mudd Journal of Ethics
9
On Identity and Epistemological Understanding Erica Esterly, United States Military Academy at West Point
Abstract This paper explores the intricate interplay of social identities and epistemological understanding, particularly in the context of racial and ethnic diversity in America. It identifies the polarizing opinions on how identities should be treated, cautioning against extremes like identity blindness and reductionism. Drawing on Linda Alcoff 's analysis of subjective and objective identities, this paper emphasizes the importance of recognizing the impact of one's identity on interactions. It advocates for critical reflexive openness, as proposed by Miranda Fricker, to navigate biases and prejudices. This paper further underscores the significance of hermeneutic horizons – the unique perspective of each individual formed by different experiences – in shaping perspectives and argues against dismissing identity. Finally, this paper asserts that understanding unique struggles fosters collective cohesion while avoiding regressive attitudes. Social identities are integral to the fabric of human existence and interactions, and yet contention remains about how one ought to treat their identity. The racial and ethnic diversity in America has polarized beliefs about how identity ought to be understood in the context of communities, education, household, and the work force. Some fervently believe that identity ought to be ignored and focus should be placed solely on qualifications. Conversely, too much of a focus on identity can lead to a hyperfixation on certain aspects of personhood and a dangerous inclination towards reductionism, or reducing an individual’s personhood down to the identity to which they belong. Tokenism, the choosing to grant one some sort of status simply because of their identity, is a harmful approach to understanding identity (Gillespie 2022). Linda Alcoff, a professor of social epistemology at City University of New York, discusses the impact of identity in her examination of Sonya Sotomayor’s famous remark regarding the “richness of experience” that an old Latina woman may have compared to an old white man (Alcoff 2010). In her writing, Alcoff compares subjective and objective identities and integrates her examination of Sotomayor’s quote to aid her argument for why different people see the world in unique ways (Alcoff 2010). This concept, described by Hans-Georg Gadamer as a “hermeneutic horizon,” is the perspective that everyone has a unique outlook of the world, or a “horizon,” that is shaped by the individual and their choices, experiences, and attitudes (Alcoff 2010). However, understanding one’s identity, and the fact that each person has a unique perspective, is just the beginning of developing epistemic knowledge. Individuals ought to dedicate themselves to practicing critical reflexive openness to achieve epistemic justice, a virtue proposed by Miranda Fricker, a professor of philosophy at New York University. Fricker’s development of concepts related to identity such as critical reflexive openness – – or the ability to receive, verify, and trust knowledge given to us – – is useful in understanding how to improve interactions with others. Communities can better recognize the epistemological differences between groups and navigate tension through intentional consideration of one’s identity, collective understanding of hermeneutic horizons, and implementation of critical reflective openness.