the death of nature women ecology and the scientific revolution

Such an approach has influenced the ever-evolving ideology of ecologism.įig 2. In the years leading up to her retirement in 2018, Carolyn Merchant shifted the focus of her research from ecofeminism to the cultural and environmental history of the US and California, which is a specialised topic in scientific history and philosophy of the Western world. If the concept of nature is to be revived and if we are going to avoid the perils of climate change, the relationship between how gender norms and roles will require significant reconstruction.Ī significant number of the concepts related to ecologism and environmentalism have roots in the masculine view of both nature and science in general.Ĭarolyn Merchant and environmental history Through rigorous and sound analysis of European history from the Renaissance to the time of Newton, this work effectively highlights the shortcomings and damages caused by mechanistic mindset. The patriarchal structure of society has resulted in the oppression and exploitation linked with gender and the natural world. Carolyn Merchants first book studies how the Scientific Revolution came at the expense of women rights and the environment. In her book, Merchant makes the following key ecofeminist arguments: Therefore, essential environmental conservation or protection can often go ignored. International Climate Change Agreementsįor instance, under patriarchal structures, political or economic barriers can diminish the collective voice of marginalised populations.Slavery and the Constitutional Convention.Philosophy of the Declaration of Independence.

The death of nature women ecology and the scientific revolution