Patriarchy devalues Women, Nature and Animals

There is a link between feminist philosophy and animal rights. One of the central ideas in feminist philosophy is that the structures that undergird violence and oppression have been overlooked. We divide the world into ‘us’ v/s ‘them’ categories and create institutions that reinforce this division. The binary division between men and women is one of these structures. Another is anthropocentrism — or human-supremacy. Those who count as humans matter more than those who don’t count as humans. We should challenge the division that allows such disrespect — we should rethink the value of the category ‘human’.

Human supremacy is a philosophical base that increases violence on the planet.

Patriarchy — or human male dominance — reinforces such assumptions. One group is valued more than the other and it’s thought the less valuable should be of service to the more valuable. So, women are to care for men, animals are to be used by humans, etc. Valuing women and valuing animals destabilises male supremacy. Devaluing all that is associated with nature, ecosystems, even certain people, is used to suit those in power and it looks as if nothing is wrong with this since they are thought to be less valuable. This is a toxic way of thinking. It is dangerous to all.

Empathy isn’t gendered. We see kindness in non-human animals of all genders. The recent news from Australia about some animals helping other species survive the horrible bush fires is just one example.

With animals, we also don’t see binary gendered divisions. Some animals ‘alloparent’ or collectively care for the young. In Africa, male chimpanzees adopt orphan chimps. Female elephants care for the young, find food and protect their group. They perform all the roles that human societies divide between ‘men’ and ‘women’.

Gender divisions in human societies limit us all. Those in the ‘man’ category are taught to truncate their feelings. Those in the ‘woman’ category are taught to serve men. Those who don’t conform pay a cost.

It is being hoped that empathy should be made more central, perhaps by changes in school education onwards. In humans, we have a huge untapped capacity to do much better. Rather than being trained to turn off our concerns for others, early education can help to refine our empathy. If we can develop our sensibilities, where we can reflect with care on our initial emotional responses, we will all be better off.

Matter referenced:

Lori Gruen, Wesleyan University, Times of India, Ahmedabad, Saturday, 8th February, 2020.

By: Dr. Bhawana Asnani.

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