Ecological Spirituality: Unit 2

Plato

• prioritizes the immaterial, rational, and unchanging.

• Soul > body

• Reason > Appetite

• Philosopher > laborer

• The mind would be better off without the constraints of the body (love, lust, fear)

Aristotle

• Hierarchy of being (humans above plants and animals because we are more rational)

• Male above female

• Masters above slaves (it is right to make some people slaves because they are meant to be ruled since they are less rational)

Aquinas

• Believes in unity of matter and spirit

• Supports hierarchy of forms (God > Angels > Humans > Animals > Plants)

• Instrumentalizes any form below humans.

Francis Bacon

• Scientific method

• Science aims to control and utilize nature

• Speaks about nature as a female to be conquered (kind of sexual)

Descartes

• Substance dualism

• Rational consciousness is the core of personhood

• The body is a vehicle for the mind

• Nature is an object, a mechanism, and a controllable system

• Nature is open to be controlled by humans → sets precedent for colonization

Carolyn Merchant

• Focus on words around nature

• Scientific revolution replaced metaphors of nature with mechanistic ones

• Previous metaphor of nature as a nurturing female organism created ethical constraints on exploitation

  • Mechanistic models allow the Earth to be seen as intert, controllable, exploitable parts

Val Plumwood

• Ecofeminist

• Criticizes Western dualism. Dualism legitimizes the domination of bodies, women, animals, and the earth

• Denial & backgrounding → Master identity is dependent on backgrounding and denial to keep the illusion of superiority and independence.

• Instrumentalization & objectification → turns nature into a mere means

Relational Ontology

Study of relationships

A view of reality in which all beings exist through networks of relationship and interdependence rather than as independent, self-sufficient entities. Relationship lies at the heart of reality and at the core of human persons. To understand who we are and live out our true nature and purpose, we must recognize our embeddedness in relationships with God, human beings, and the more-than-human world. Language of kinship before dominion/stewardship becomes key here. 

Dualism

Not a mere recognition of difference, but a systematic relation of domination that “hyperseparates” reality in two unequal and polarized orders of being. No continuity of qualities between the sides. Johnson and Plumwood both agree that dualism’s fundamental structure is found in a false polarization where one pole is constructed as superior, independent, and autonomous and the other inferior, depending, or lacking.

Interlocking Dualisms

Mutually-reinforcing system of dualisms which form a “fault-line” through Western culture, providing a common conceptual framework for all kinds of oppression (eco-injustice, racism, sexism, classism, etc.) - meaning that we can’t understand one form of oppression without exploring others (Pope Francis says ‘we have one heart’ - we treat people how we treat the earth and vice versa). 

On one side is a superior “master identity” associated with being rational, autonomous, and independent - and on the inferior underside are those who are associated with nature, bodies, emotions, dependence, and lacking agency. 

Backgrounding

The denial of reliance on other people/organisms/systems. Essential to maintain the false independence of the master identity. Seeing others as a background to the dominant culture/people/events

Intrinsic v. Instrumental Value

value in and of itself v. value only as a tool or “mere means” for human affairs.