A key question for any relevant Philosophy for Today must be our relationship with nature. The question has been explored by speakers in this forum last term, and many important points were raised. One crucial aspect, however, has received scarce attention: the ancient view of nature as mother, shared by many cultures around the world. In my paper, I want to explore how the reconsideration of gender categories in this context might help us reconfigure our relationship with nature in today’s world.
In my paper, I am going to revisit ancient myths and folk tales, Romantic revivals of pantheistic and animistic worldviews, critical theories of patriarchy, images of resonance and reciprocity as well as indigenous eco-philosophies, and how all of this might help us find direction based on “clear and coherent thinking” (John Trudell) in the midst of our current confusions. The continuing process of desacralising nature in European cultures will be part of my inquiry.