Embodied ways of knowing: Revisiting feminist epistemology

Abstract

Feminist scholarship has developed a focus on articulating alternative women’s ways of knowing and validating women’s experiences. The focus of my feminist interest in epistemology began with my attempt to understand my role as knower, and to contribute to the development of multiple and alternative “knowledges”. Key critiques of Western epistemology and dualistic ontology informed the development of feminist and phenomenological understandings of embodiment and embodied ways of knowing. Feminist writing about women’s movement experiences, considering the examples of throwing a ball, climbing, long-distance running and rowing, all offered contributions to alternative knowledges. In particular, through embodied ways of knowing as a dancer, I hope to offer insights relevant to other embodied practitioners in sport, leisure and physical activity.