A Critical Analysis of Stereotypes

Author ORCID Identifier

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1919-3610

Degree Year

2021

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Philosophy

Advisor(s)

Dorit A. Ganson

Keywords

Ethics, Epistemology, Philosophy, Antiracism

Abstract

Stereotypes are both acknowledged as harmful and harmless within current colloquial discussion. They can foster racist beliefs but are generally assumed to be false and irrelevant. Philosophy can provide valuable discourse for critically analyzing the function and subsequent harm of stereotypes. I follow general discourse on stereotypes within Epistemology by rejecting that all stereotypes should be assumed false. I explore an alternative reason to reject stereotypes by delineating the specific epistemic harm that stereotypes and stereotype-adjacent beliefs can enact not only on others, but on society at large. I compare various philosophical arguments that could dismantle stereotypes and reduce the potential harm that they enact. This thesis serves as a motivation for antiracist teachings founded on philosophical thought.

Notes

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