Causally Interpreting Intersectionality Theory. Issue 3 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bright, Liam Kofi; Malinsky, Daniel; Thompson, Morgan
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of science. Volume 81:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy; Science; Science -- Philosophy; Philosophie des sciences; Epistemology; Periodicals; 501
• DOI: 10.1086/684173
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-767X

Abstract

Abstract : Social scientists report difficulties in drawing out testable predictions from the literature on intersectionality theory. We alleviate that difficulty by showing that some characteristic claims of the intersectionality literature can be interpreted causally. The formalism of graphical causal modeling allows claims about the causal effects of occupying intersecting identity categories to be clearly represented and submitted to empirical testing. After outlining this causal interpretation of intersectional theory, we address some concerns that have been expressed in the literature claiming that membership in demographic categories can have causal effects.