I think it needs to be pointed out that in the context of feminist
discussions "essentialism" has usually taken on a particular meaning,
different from the dictionary definitions Mary floated in her last post.
As I understand the special feminist use of the term, it refers to the view
or belief that all women are essentially the same and different from men
and in ways that shape their identities as more like "nature." So, all
women have one nature as women and that nature is more of nature or closer
to nature.
Many many feminist have sharply criticized these beliefs. E.g. many
women of color have challenged the claim that their nature or identity as
women is the same as white middle class American women, even PC radical
feminist ones. Other feminists have challenged the interpretation of women's
nature as closer to nature on the ground that it excludes women by necessity
from full participation in culture or at least sets them up for men or
anti-feminists to exclude them. I think King fits in here and wants to
go on to redefine "culture" in a way that blocks nature/culture dualism.
(See King in Reweaving the World and a couple of further posts of mine on
nature/culture dualism and the relativity of "nature")
not too briefly ...
ps
Philip T. Shepard, Professor
Lyman Briggs School
Michigan State University
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
