Page 209 - Contribution To Phenomenology

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without an official leader. Democratic leadership does not require a vote
on all issues and rule by the majority. Seeking common consent does lead
to resolution of issues, and it usually does it quickly. This may be a
paradox, that patience saves time. When consensus is patiently waited for,
those who eventually change their position or go along with the rest do
not feel beaten or overcome. This form of group life promotes peace
and creativity. One of the reasons for the creativity is that not having a
heavy-gaveled chair allows people to come forward when their area of
competence is called for; this allows a kind of temporary leadership of
the group which uses each person's skills and knowledge most efficiently.
Again we find a paradox, that making efficiency the first priority is
seldom truly efficient. More values can be realized when a group is
person and process oriented rather than goal oriented.
I have been a part of democratic, process-oriented groups for many
years. I know they are creative and conducive to harmony and good will
as well as effective. A sustainable society must be a just society and a
society of people who are satisfied with their lives. So-called feminist
group methods can make a tremendous contribution to this. The
patriarchal ways of the past have left us thinking that wars are inevitable
and that any society must be built on the expectation that a few must
win and many must be losers. The feminist way can help us give peace
a chance. This is worth the careful attention of all responsible people.
Feminism is too promising to leave to a few women. It is time for all
of us to receive its benefits and contribute to its development. Ecological
feminism is too significant a part of the effort to save the life on this
planet for any thoughtful person to ignore it.
It is important to see that ecological feminism is not a radical, fringe
movement in environmentalism. It does not advocate a way of life which
is basically different fi'om that which holistic environmentalists have been
advocating for some time. Arne Naess's concept of deep ecology
incorporated many features of an ecological feminist treatment of the
earth. He combined respect for the earth with social concerns. He
advocated equaUty between all living things, with the right of all to exist
respected. He was abo concerned with equaUty between persons and
groups of persons, with a respect for differences. He was a champion of
biological diversity and of cultural diversity. He saw a close connection
between world peace and a holistic view of life on the planet. Caring,
respect, and other feminist values were clearly incorporated in Naess's
ethical view. Other environmental philosophers have advocated living in