I may not have enough
knowledge on the philosophy but I have a perspective - a different perspective
than a purely philosophy student - a perspective of feminist thinking. And this
is only reason I am writing about "Man" as a subject of the
Philosophy but Why "Woman" is not.
I do affirm 'Man' is a
subject of the philosophy. Eastern and Western philosophy have in one or other
way articulates on 'Man'. Along with the most favourite subjects of the
philosophy such as the conception of
'universe', 'god', 'soul', 'knowledge', 'immortality', 'enlightenment', and
'salvation', the great emphasis is given on 'Man', in particular, describing
and defining the nature, duties and purposes of man. However, I doubt same
applies with 'Woman'. To my knowledge, in majority of philosophical texts, the
word 'Woman' is missing generally and in particular, Hindu and Islam religious
texts, 'Woman' is treated as a subordinate to 'Man'. However, I do not expect
everyone to agree with me. Had there been no difference in perspectives,
probably Socrates had never been condemned and criticized, he had never had to
drink hemlock. That is what I am referring to -perspective difference between
'Man' and 'Woman' and more politely a male thinker and a female thinker.
Encounter
with 'Man' in the Philosophical texts:
I do not have anything
against 'Man' as the subject of the philosophy. My only concern is whether or
not 'Woman' is also a subject of the philosophy. Whenever I encounter with
'Man' in any philosophical text, my first question will be - "Does it
include woman as well?" And the answer is sometimes 'Yes' and majority of
time 'No'. As a student of the philosophy, I always wished my course books and
philosophical texts treat 'Woman' fairly but it did not happen in that way.
Most of time, I encounter with 'Man' in the philosophical texts but hardly
'Woman'.
My early encounter with
'Man' in the philosophical texts started with the Greek philosophy and I could
still remember some description of 'Man' by notable philosophers. In Western
philosophy including Greek Philosophy, 'Man' is described as microcosm, little
world in which the macrocosm, or universe, is
reflected.[1]
In the words of Protagoras, "Man is the measure of all things." It is
hard to recall how Socrates or Plato describe about the man. Socrates,
emphasizing 'Know thyself' focus on 'Man' and Aristotle refers 'Man' as a
rational being. Thomas Aquinas regards man as acting in the image of God to the extent
that he exercises and seeks to fulfill his intelligent nature. Rene Descartes,
saying "cogito ergo sum" expresses his great optimism on man's
capacity of knowledge and John Locke deals about Man vs. Person.
Once I encounter with 'Man' and 'Woman' in Christian
Theology. In the book of Genesis, especially in the creation story, 'Man' is
described as the final act of divine initiative, was given the responsibility
for the Garden of Eden and the benefit of a direct relationship with his
creator. One version of the creation story presents a woman as a subordinate to
'Man' and says 'God causes the man to
sleep and creates a woman from a part of his body'. In Islam, the crater
between 'Man' and 'Woman' is clearly visible. Islam articulates about man's
spiritual relationship with Allah but it seems like women are neglected even by
Allah. Regarding Hindu texts, the concept of soul and the relationship of soul
and 'Man' are highly emphasized. While describing the purpose of life, term
'Puruswarth' is used which impliedly indicates "Purush" or
"Man". Regarding Buddha, he was so against to inclusion of female
monk ('Woman') in Sangh at first place.
In this way, I
understand 'Man' as the subject of the philosophy and I find 'Woman' missing
therein.
Why 'Woman' is not a subject of the philosophy
I do
consider the time, space and context where majority of the philosophical texts
were evolved and developed. If we think the past civilization as egalitarian,
the possibility could be the word 'Man' includes 'Woman'. It is a matter of
interpretation. Even in a literal construction, the word 'Woman' seems to be
made up of 'Wo + Man' and the word 'Female' is 'Fe+Male'. In other words, the
word 'Man' means 'Human' and equally applicable for 'Woman' and 'he' includes
'she'.
As it
is obvious that generally women were not present in any philosophical
discourses and philosophical texts had not been informed by women's experiences
and anything included in the philosophical texts are refracted through the eyes
of men, how can the word 'Man' include 'Woman'? Therefore, I would say that
philosophical discourses and texts are always been gendered, informed by men's
experiences and derived from the powerful social position of men, relative to
women. Therefore, at many or majority of time, women around the world have
found themselves and their experiences and perceptions largely excluded from
the purview of the philosophy. Practically, the history of philosophical
discourses has been of men, run by men and for men essentially and only exceptionally
for women. I read about Gargi, a woman challenging a great sage Yajnavalkya in
a philosophic congress and she is taken as an exception. Therefore, it is quite
hard to accept the logic that 'Man' includes 'Woman' and consequently, 'Woman'
has not been the subject of philosophy.
In
this light, the reason why 'Woman' is not a subject of the philosophy may be
coined as due to lack of access and participation in the philosophical
discourse. In the ancient time, women were denied of literacy and education was
not necessary for them. This hindered them having access to philosophical
discourse and consequently could not participate therein. They lagged behind
then and as a result till today, women are not being able to over-come the
impact. Till today, women are seen less involved in the philosophical discourses
and consequently, there have been only few notable woman philosophers, still subject
to study and research. Therefore, it is fair enough to say that time has come
to redress the past encouraging more women to participate in the philosophical
discourses and allowing them to have access to the philosophical studies and
activities.
Perspective
of Acceptance and Rejection - Philosophy and Feminism
In general, feminist thinking is based on criticism.
As a nature of feminist thinking, it rejects many philosophical views, mostly
philosophical beliefs that tend to discriminate women in one or other way.
According to reformist and radical debate, it implies that either philosophy
needs to reform or philosophy as a whole will be rejected in order to
incorporate women's experience, women's views and women's perspectives i.e.
accepting 'Woman' as a subject of the philosophy rather than describing them as
a wife or daughter or some other word in relation to 'Man'.
While considering the perspective of acceptance and
rejection in relation to philosophy and feminism, will Spinozistic principle "Every determination is negation" or
Hegel's popular principle "Every negation is determination" work?
Honestly, referring to Socrates' paradox, I would say "I know that I know
nothing" in this regard but I articulate about my perspectives for
discussion and discourse - that is what philosophy and feminism matter at this
point and more vaguely, opening a discussion on 'Man' as a subject of
the Philosophy but why 'Woman' is not.
(Article published in Darshan Drishti Magazine of Nepal Philosophy Study Center.)
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