Standpoint theory (also standpoint epistemology) emerged as part of feminist theories in the 1970s.401 The principle behind standpoint theory goes back to Hegel’s “master-slave dialectic”: while a master experiences the world only as a master’s world, a slave experiences, in addition to the master’s world, also the world of slaves. The slave therefore has a different view of society (a double consciousness).402
Standpoint theory states that social positioning in the system can grant special access to knowledge. Therefore, feminist women have a deeper insight into reality because they can recognise the effects of patriarchy through their personal, lived experience.
Since the 1970s, this feminist approach has been further developed: connected with the postmodern view of forms of knowledge, it was no longer just about gaining consciousness of the situation of women. The new goal was to develop as intersectional a consciousness as possible.
Under the premise that the oppressed understand both their oppression and truth itself better, the woke standpoint theory arises kaleidoscopically from identity: certain identities offer a special insight into (Black, Indigenous, queer, etc.) forms of knowledge. Anyone who does not possess this special access due to their privileges is to recognise the standpoint of the more marginalised.403
A marginalised identity is not sufficient for insight; one must also have sufficient consciousness. All persons who are not sufficiently woke are trapped in dominant viewpoints; they may suffer from internalised oppression (see false consciousness).404
Standpoint theory forms a useful gate-keeping mechanism through which woke activists can justify their expertise.