This message appeared on the ECOPSYCHOLOGY list and I sent a response
suggesting that they come to the ECOFEM list for information/discussion.
Unfortunately, Liath is not on this list, so he asked me to forward the
request. Can someone send them a copy of the reading list that was
compiled on the list (I can't seem to find mine)? I'm sure any personal
communication would also be appreciated.
Thanks,
Vicki Daitch
Here it is...add whatever you like to explain the situation..
Liath
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 19:39:48 -0800
From: Liath Mactire <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Deep Ecology and EcoFeminism
Sorry to just drop in and delurk out of the blue asking potentially
inflammatory questions....my excuse is that I have not really had the
time to do much more than scan this list since I joined, much less
contribute. I have hopes for a more participatory role in the future.
Not great hopes mind you...but you never know..
Next month my wife and I are conducting a Deep Ecology and EcoFeminism
workshop for our Unitarian Church. We have had previous experiences
leading Deep Ecology workshops and Thinking Like a Mountain weekends
so we are not total novices. This time we included Ecofeminism partly
because we'd like the arguments we so often read between Deep Ecologists
and EcoFeminists to just "go away." The arguments seem only to benefit
professional philosophers. Each "discipline" seems to add luster to
the other, and both are needed in our modern industrial society.
The people attending our upcoming workshop are primarily liberal
Humanists,...hmmm.... maybe I should underscore the "human" there, though
many of them have social ecology leanings. Humanism is not particularly
my cup of tea and I certainly will not be preaching to the choir on Deep
Ecology principles. The problem I have though, is that I am not really up
to speed on Ecofeminism and I do not truly understand the rift between
Deep Ecology and Ecofeminism. And I'd rather present them united as
distinctive from a humanist approach, anyway.
My exposure to Ecofeminism is limited to the readings in _Reweaving
the World_, the essay by Warwick Fox in Deep Ecology for the 21st
Century, and some "controversy" writings from a Environmental Philosophy
class. I would say I have some basic, but not a profound understanding
of the issues and differences. I want to be able to present Ecofeminism
in a fair and favorable light while addressing the points of difference.
So...at last I get around to my questions... What are the areas of
similarity that I can emphasize and what are the suggested responses to
the Ecofeminist charge that Deep Ecology is patriarchial in nature? How
are the two united in being a different worldview than humanism? What are
the important similarities, differences, and what arguments can be raised
for their superiority over a compassionate, liberal, humanitarian outlook?
I do not want to open debate so much as encourage ecological thinking.
These are bright people who care and give, but who think most frequently
with their heads not their hearts -- how would you suggest reaching them?
I usually lead a discussion of G. Tyler Miller's Eco Principles somewhere
near the start of the workshops and relate them to Deep Ecology. I think
one approach here would be to do the same with Ecofeminism.
Any thoughts and suggestions ....a general disscussion....all would be
welcome.
thanks, Liath...
btw if anyone wants an e-mail copy of Miller's principles I think I have
them on line and I will be happy to send them.
