In this paper I would like to show that it is impossible to understand logically destructive consequences of dominant trends in ecological development without understanding their gendered nature. Metaphysical, supra-material relationship between women and nature is highly problematic. It does not explain the extent to which this symbolic association between women and nature may be rooted in historical, material origins. Because of this fundamental weakness, this line of thinking falls into circular reasoning to the point where one is not quite certain which domination preceded the other.
Domination is achieved through subordination of the supposedly lesser entity.
It is a particular idea of nature, which has been used to justify a particular idea of gender and sexuality. Thus women and nature are to be feared as wild and out of control, that which must be mastered and brought under control. Dualism represents a cultural institutionalization of power relations, which not only divides categories of thought and life, but also prioritizes one over the other. The origin of the dualism in western thought lies in ancient philosophy, particularly Plato s one. What Plato did was to separate of the sphere of ideas from the rest of human existence, and particularly human embodiment, both as subsistence and sexuality.