The Seeds of Violence. Ecofeminism, Technology, and Ecofeminist Philosophy of Technology

Ecofeminist philosophy is a development of feminist philosophy that addresses the intersection of sexism and environmental issues. Technology features frequently in ecofeminist writings, and yet despite being a recurrent theme, technology itself as a phenomenon is rarely directly considered. In this chapter I shall focus upon two ecofeminist philosophers whose consideration of technology moves from the analysis of the individual instance towards a more general account of the nature of technology. The first, Karen Warren, gives technology a central place in her philosophical analysis. However, I shall suggest, her commitment to an instrumental understanding of technology renders her approach problematic. I will then consider the work of Vandana Shiva. Though best known as an environmental activist and radical scientist, I argue that Shiva puts forward a sophisticated technological determinist philosophy of technology that emphasises the role of political and patriarchal interests in technological development and subsequent social and environmental interventions.