Ecofeminism : tracing the theoretical roots
Date
1992
Authors
Begoray, Noreen Joan
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Abstract
Ecofeminist theory is a feminist interpretation of the causes of environmental degradation. It is informed by theories of alienation from nature and by feminist theory. The theories of Hegel, Marx, Sartre, deep ecology, and social ecology have impacted on ecofeminism, as have existential, psychoanalytic, and radical feminism. Socialist feminism has scarcely been considered by ecofeminists, but the incorporation of socialist feminist theory could improve ecofeminist theory.
Theories of alienation from nature propose that there is a subject/object dichotomy that separates humans from nature. Hegel believed that humans are alienated from their natural selves through the development of their self-consciousness. Marx suggested that humans are alienated from nature through the capitalist process of production which creates a false consciousness separating people from their ecological selves. Sartre conceived of alienation as the domination of the intellectual, transcendent mind over the animalistic, immanent body, which reflects a requisite transcendence of humans over nature. Deep ecologists identify anthropocentrism as the main element in alienation from nature, as it ignores the interconnectedness of humans and nature. Social ecologists proceed to suggest that anthropocentrism and human alienation from nature are reflections of dominant social relations that are projected onto nature.
Feminist theory focuses largely on the gender inequities in a patriarchal society. Existential feminism parallels Sartre, and further suggests that men are considered to be the transcendent, intellectual self, while women are considered to be the immanent, animalistic other. Psychoanalytic feminists believe men and women are alienated from both women and nature due to the negative association of women with nature that accompanies the formation of gendered psyches. Radical feminists focus on the gendered socialization of men and women that relegates women to an inferior position in a patriarchal society. This society then suggests that these gendered traits are biologically based and irreversible. Socialist feminists identify both patriarchy and capitalism as mutually reinforcing systems that are co-responsible for the oppression of women within patriarchal capitalism.
Ecofeminist theory is a feminist approach to environmental degradation. Ecofeminism is an original combination of feminist and alienation theories. Ecofeminism suggests that environmental degradation is rooted in the historical and psychosocial development of humanity. They propose that human alienation from nature is a reflection of an original alienation of men from women. Ecofeminists maintain that environmental abuse and the abuse of women in society are linked in mutually supporting ways, as a reflection of hierarchical dualism and alienation. The historical association of women and nature reflects and supports the oppression of both.
Ecofeminist theory is only in its infancy, and suffers from an immaturity and lack of development in many of its propositions. A serious problem with this theory is its white, middle-class, Western solipsism. The main areas that ecofeminism should look toward in the future, in order to improve this theory, include a more thoroughly substantiated historical account of alienation from women and nature; the question of essential or socialized characteristics of men and women; a major consideration of material factors that maintain the oppression of women and nature; a definition of the relationship between humans and nature; an account of the role of the state in environmental and gender exploitation; and an analysis of ecofeminism as a new social movement.
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UN SDG 5: Gender Equality