Definition of Standpoint
A standpoint is the reference and starting point for any kind of orientation. It is not only a geographical point but involves everything somebody brings with him or her to his or her orientation, be it one’s body, mood, psychophysical state, opinions, commitments, convictions – the whole biographical, educational, and cultural background. You can distance yourself from this standpoint only within (more or less narrow) limits. Since all orientation is relative to it, the respective local, temporal, and cultural standpoint is the absolute in orientation. However, while you see and think everything from this starting point of your orientation, you cannot see your standpoint itself. It is first of all given in your orientation, but it is only given as an imaginary point. Like the horizons of your orientation, the standpoint is paradoxical. (chap. 5.2 and 5.4).
Note:
The chapters and the page numbers refer to the book by Werner Stegmaier, What is Orientation? A Philosophical Investigation, translated by Reinhard G. Mueller (Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, 2019).
XII, 3, 12-13, 18, 23, 43-47, 49-52, 99, 111-112, 117, 125, 183-190, 198, 208, 226, 249, 271, 275
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