Breaking The Dualisms: An EcoFeminist Analysis of Daoist Philosophy As Part Of A Greater Critique Of Western Rationality

In the context of the climate crisis, this research aims to explore the relevance of ecofeminist theories to understand the current relationship humans have built with nature. This research build on the research gap in the study of comparison of ecofeminism and Daoism, and aims to explore the relevance of connecting the two philosophies. This research primarily focuses on the theories advanced by Val Plumwood in her work Feminism and the Mastery of Nature, in which she explores the dualistic constructions that have come to shape our society. Her work offers a new understanding of the ecofeminist goal, that she comes to define as a task to dismantle the common system of oppression that exists in our society. Given this, the goal of connecting Daoism and ecofeminism is specified to understanding how the non-hierarchical structure illustrated by Yin and Yang can help exploring human identities in less dualistic ways. In comparing the dualistic constructions presented by Plumwood with the structural characteristics of Yin and Yang, this research aims to show that dismantling the power structure that keeps human alienated from nature demands the articulation of femininity and masculinity in new non-hierarchical ways.