a theory in postmodernism that proposes that the way an individual views the world is influenced by his or her perspective, which in turn is influenced by the individual’s social group memberships, experiences, location, situated knowledge, and other characteristics. When a person actively focuses on, recognizes, and acknowledges these influences, he or she has obtained a standpoint (i.e., a perspective is passive, but a standpoint is an active choice). [originated in 1807 by German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) in his studies of slavery]