Feminism and the Mastery of Nature (Opening Out: Feminism for Today) - Softcover

Plumwood, Val

Softcover

ISBN 10: 041506810X ISBN 13: 9780415068109

Publisher: Routledge, 1993

Synopsis

Val Plumwood lays foundations for feminist ecology, bringing feminist and postcolonial theory to bear on the problems of environmental philosophy.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This book draws on the feminist critique of reason to argue that the master form of rationality of western culture has been systematically unable to acknowledge dependency on nature, the sphere of those it has defined as 'inferior' others. Because its knowledge of the world is systematically distorted by the elite domination which has shaped it, the master rationality has developed 'blind spots' which may threaten our survival. The future depends increasingly on our ability to create a truly democratic and ecological culture beyond dualism.

Review:

'This book is path-breaking systematically extending the feminist critique of international locking dualisms in Western philosophy to argue that the domination of nature flows from them as much as the domination of race, gender and class.' - Environmental Politics

'Puncturing the myth of 'the angel in the ecosystem', Plumwood aims to develop a genuinely critical ecological feminism. Her book is lively, intelligent and politically shrewd.' - Nancy Fraser, Northwestern University

'I began by saying that Feminism and the Mastery of Nature should shake the conceptual structures of philosophy to their foundations. I am convinced it can do this. Plumwood does a stunning job of showing us how deep the habits of mastery are buried in our rational life ... I can't wait for her next book' - Patsy Hallen, Australian Journal of Philosophy

'Val Plumwood's lucid, intelligent and beautifully written Feminism and the Mastery of Nature should be an enriching experience and a source of academically rigourous arguement for philosophy students and graduates...because the author combines the intellectual capacity to see all the complexities of an issue with the writing skill to identify and explain them clearly, in language that's simple without being simplistic, it's a valuable and useful book.' - Phoebe Thorndyke, Chain Reaction

'I found all but four pages of Plumwood's book to be accessible, valuable and even witty.' - Greta Gaard, Environmental Ethics

'Now, for the first time, in Val Plumwood's Feminism and the Mastery of Nature, a clear well crafted, academic analysis of ecofeminism is presented which refutes many of the misconceptions of ecofeminism and which makes a persuasive arguement for ecofeminism as a valuable philosophy.' - Cat Cox, The Ecologist

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 041506810X
• ISBN 13: 9780415068109
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 252