Page 201 - Contribution To Phenomenology

194 DON MARIETTA

This has been my experience. My work in the discipline of ethics,
with a focus on environmental philosophy for over a decade, has been
greatly enriched by basic phenomenological methods, especially in dealing
with the relationship between knowledge and moral obligation. Some
years ago I was made aware of the close connection between the
attitudes and beUefs which lead to the destruction of the natural
environment and the oppression of women. Later, especially in the work
of Karen J. Warren, I found an approach to ethical theory which seemed
similar to mine. Now I realize that phenomenology offers a good
perspective for grasping the significance of feminist ethical theory and
feminist environmentaUsm. Perhaps we will be able to contribute
something of importance to feminist ethics using the tools of phenomenol-
ogical analysis.
First let us see why feminist thought is important to environmentalism.
Then we will look carefully at some reasons why phenomenologists, as
phenomenologists, can relate significantly to ecological feminism.

Fran9Coise d'Eaubonne coined the term ecofeminisme in 1974, giving a
focus to a movement of growing importance. A central aspect of this
movement was indicated by Rosemary Ruether^ when she pointed out the
historical connection between the domination of nature and the domina-
tion of women. In the 1970's, Carolyn Merchant and a few other writers
explored the significance of ecological feminism. The literature became
more abundant in the 1980's and 1990's. Environmental Ethics has
published significant work in this area, including two papers by Warren.^
Warren also edited a special issue of Hypatia} on feminism and
environmentalism with articles by many of the leading voices in eco-
feminism. The American Philosophical Association Newsletter on
Feminism and Philosophy* has several articles on ecological feminism and

^ Rosemary Ruether, New WomanINew Earth: Sexist Idiologies and Human
Liberation (New York: Seabury Press, 1975)
^ Karen J. Warren, "Feminism and Philosophy, Making Connections," Environmen-
tal Ethics 9:1 (1987):3-20 and "The Power and the Promise of Ecological Feminism,"
Environmental Ethics 12.2 (1990): 125-146
^ Hypatia 6.1 (Spring 1991).
* 91.1 (Spring 1992).