ABSTRACT
The term 'objective' is used in multiple ways. To begin, it is important to distinguish at least three different candidates for objectivity: objective reality, objective discourse, and objective knowledge. Epistemic objectification is often bundled with other forms of objectification that essentialize or naturalize subordinated statuses. However, the injustice of epistemic objectification is more than testimonial. The objectification of women plausibly combines both a projective and naturalizing error (women are for the satisfaction of men's needs) and a Kantian error. Certain models of objectivity, or objective reality, support status quo reasoning that works, under conditions of oppression, to justify subordinating practices quite generally. Status quo reasoning is both an epistemic injustice - since it is one factor in the perpetuation of epistemic marginalization - and also an epistemic tool of oppression. The Essentialist and Normative Assumptions provide excellent resources to reinforce the status quo.
