Complexity Theory and Ecofeminism: Looking At a Coalition

Sharon Woodill, during her undergraduate Introduction studies of jazz, began working with complexity My work is concerned with seeing: theory as an analytical tool for examining the with looking, with thinking, with perceiving, development of jazz musicians in with understanding, with creating, with being. communities of practice. During her graduate There is a tradition of feminist thought studies, she examined the conceptualization concerned with looking: Marilyn Frye's (1983) of domination in ecofeminist discourse and "loving perception," Donna Haraway's (1988) the uptake of complexity theory in such a "persistence of vision," Dorothy Smith's context. Currently in an Interdisciplinary PhD (1989) "women's perspective" and Luce program at Dalhousie University, she is Irigaray's (1985) exposé of "the blind spot" - concerned with the potential of complexity just to name a few. In these works, the vision theory for cross-paradigm communication in metaphor functions to highlight the the context of epistemic discrepancies epistemological configurations between between science and religion. oneself and others and to expose the complicated patterns of social interactions Abstract and constructions. I draw on this metaphor Complexity theory may provide a helpful from the feminist tradition because of its conceptual toolbox for understanding specific concern with ethical social organizing interpenetrated social and material systems of practices, and I seek to contribute to this work oppression as posited by ecofeminism; from a slightly more contemporary context. however, successful coalition demands My work is a grain of sand, a tiny careful consideration of the epistemic contribution to an overall accumulation. I often implication of complexity theory. Curdled logic wonder how many more works of vision it will can facilitate the epistemic move from take to reach a critical mass, a tipping point monism to plurality that such a coalition would leading to the emergence of new and stable require. perceptual practices: perceptual practices that Résumé can accommodate intricate, complex, La théorie de la complexité offrirait une boîte multi-dimensional, paradoxical, general and à outils conceptuelle utile pour comprendre simultaneously specific coherences of les systèmes sociaux et matériaux realities. I hope to inspire an expansion of impénétrables de l'oppression tels que perception while being cognizant of feminist présentés par l'éco-féminisme; toutefois, une precautions against the privileging of the coalition fructueuse demande une Western gaze that reduces multiplicious considération de l'inclusion épistémique de la subjects to a single unified whole and projects théorie de la complexité. La logique tordue an "ethnocentric universalism" as a peut faciliter le mouvement épistémique du standardized analytic device (Mohanty 2004, monisme à la pluralité que ce genre de 21). I do not, however, wish to exorcise coalition demanderait. perception from its historical script - Western or otherwise - for such a move would necessarily require a "god-trick" and a shift to a view from nowhere (Haraway 1988, 589). I seek an improved depth perception, so to speak, to encourage competent navigation of the more ambiguous spaces of being. From this context, this paper explores a coalition of theories: ecofeminism and

www.msvu.ca/atlantis PR Atlantis 34.2, 2010 85 complexity. Complexity theory, originating coalition is explicitly recommended. In this from the physical sciences, is a theory of work, domination is conceptualized as a self-organizing systems that develop via complex system of interrelated oppressions feedback loops with their environment. Such and it is argued that complexity theory systems are dynamic, adaptive, therefore provides insight into how such unpredictable, and to a great degree, describe systems develop, reproduce, and are the being and becoming quality of the natural sustained. world. Ecofeminism posits that women and Complexity theory may provide a nature are often positioned together at the helpful conceptual toolbox for understanding bottom of oppressive hierarchies. This interpenetrated social and material systems of position accounts for a twinned oppression oppression; however, there is a theoretical that is conceptual, material, and prototypical discrepancy. The problem concerns the of other forms of domination. ontological status of dominitory hierarchies: Within feminist scholarship, some ecofeminist theory is based on a ecofeminism has often been marginalized and conceptualization of dominitory hierarchies as charged with essentialism. It is sometimes restrictive and oppressive structures that seen to reaffirm a negative affiliation of serve to reinforce power distribution in women with nature that objectifies both and harmful and unjust ways, and this differs renders them inert and ultimately irrational. markedly from the malleable and dynamic Feminism has long struggled against such an character such as is suggested in a association by focusing on the discursive complexivist framing. Are hierarchies rigid practices that shape social realities; however, maladaptive structures or complex adaptive strict adherence to discursive practices and systems? As I address this problem, I posit social construction models rests heavily on a that the answer(s) is(are) contingent on a language/reality dichotomy that leads to a particular way of seeing the world and I kind of disembodiment in which the significant recommend a type of curdled logic, as entanglement of the human and nonhuman articulated by Maria Lugones (2003), as a worlds is under-acknowledged, making it viable means of navigating this discrepancy. difficult to engage with the material aspect of Curdled logic is a pluralistic approach lived experience in pragmatic ways (Alaimo to vision that resists the hegemonic value of and Hekman 2008). Indeed, feminist scholars purity and highlights the violence of splitting such as Donna Haraway (2008), Karan Barad and separating involved in its processes. (2008), and Stacey Alaimo (2008) posit a Curdled logic resists the "privileged, simple, more general form of material feminist theory one-dimensional" vantage point of purity by that not only challenges the boundaries bringing into focus the reality of ambiguity and between the notions of human and nonhuman liminal existence (Lugones 2003, 128). In but invites an alternative conception of the other words, curdled logic is a logic of material world that moves beyond simplistic process, a logic of complexity, that does not binaries to highly interpenetrated modes of settle on simple binaries but rather being. A coalition between ecofeminist and dynamically explores the context to complexity theories can be seen as a accommodate seemingly disparate modes of supportive element in such scholarship and knowing/being. Stacy Alaimo and Susan the cautionary points as equally applicable. Hekman (2008) suggest that feminist Arguably, complexity has been scholarship has had little success implicit in ecofeminist theory all along. incorporating materialist theory and they call Ecofeminists have explored the social for a novel and equitable approach to viewing dynamics in webs of domination and have the connections between discourse and drawn on adaptive experiential ways of matter. Perhaps curdled logic will make this knowing that embody the characteristics of task more accessible. being and becoming. In Erika Cudworth's Developing Ecofeminist Theory: The Complexity of Difference (2005), however, a

86 Atlantis 34.2, 2010 PR www.msvu.ca/atlantis Complexity Theory - appears. This is called "emergence" Complexity theory is a theory of (Johnson 2002; Waldrop 1992, 152). change. It is a broad area of scholarship that Emergence happens under a set of looks at emergent patterns of collective specific conditions which are key elements of behaviour, and drawing on a base of insight complexity theory. Emergence is said to be from the physical sciences, it endorses a most abundant at "the edge of chaos" perspective of being and becoming that is (Waldrop 1992, 11), which is to say that there centered on dynamic, adaptive, creative and needs to be a mixture of randomness and relationship-based interactions. Purported to order. Order is provided by the physical or be the science of life (Capra 1996; 2005), material configuration (and consequential complexity theory describes the wild and limitations) of the system and chaos is wacky workings of the natural world which provided by an abundance of possibilities encompasses a broad spectrum of domains available to said system. As individuals from chemical reactions to social organizing interact, new things happen in unplanned and practices. Complexity theory is concerned undirected ways. There is no central with the cyclical patterns of natural command and control: emergence, or phenomena: how things come to be, how they patterns of becoming, are characteristics of are sustained, and how they are transformed partnership relationships rather than (Capra 1996). dictator-type relationships. Agential Ironically, complexity theory consists causations are multidirectional such that an of a rather basic set of principles. Brent Davis entity shapes and is shaped by the describes complexity (science) as: "the study environment simultaneously. of adaptive, self-organizing systems - or more Self-organization leading to emergent colloquially, the study of living systems - or, phenomenon occurs in states that are far more educationally, the study of learning from equilibrium (Capra 1996; Gleick 1987; systems" (2004, 211). Complexity is a Prigogine and Stengers 1984). In other words, systems perspective that conceives of life as they are not static, but are instead maintained systems of relationships, which in turn consist by a steady flow of energy through the of other systems, which consist of other system. As such, complex systems are open, systems, and so on ad infinitum. In other which means they continuously interact with, words, there are no fundamental building act upon, and react to their surroundings. For blocks, only systems or webs of relationships example, the cyclical processes of living (Capra 1996). entities (biological complex systems) are such Webs (individual systems or that they need to take in sustenance and individual agents) cohere into larger systems: oxygen and expend energy and waste in turn. they self-organize into complex adaptive These properties form a layered structure. systems sometimes conceptualized as For example, cells interact to form an organ, intimately connected networks (Barabasi which constitutes an emergent property of a 2003). Self-organization is basically a network of cells; organs interact to form a grassroots-type of organization in which body which is an emergent property of a communication between individuals in close network of organs; people interact to form proximity facilitates a set of shared values communities, which is an emergent property and ideas upon which actions are based. of a network of people, and so on. Emergent These communication processes, in properties are properties of the whole; they complexity theory, are described as feedback are products of relationships and therefore loops - positive loops amplify and negative are not visible in the individual entities of the loops restrict the development of a system. system. This is not to say that entities are not Both may be necessary at times. When individuals, but rather, it is to say that entities complex adaptive systems self-organize, are not isolated, reducible, or abstract. positive feedback loops drive the system's Entities are highly entangled in webs of being. development to a critical point at which Adaptation is the process of a novelty - a movement, an organism, a pattern system's change in response to the

www.msvu.ca/atlantis PR Atlantis 34.2, 2010 87 environment while it simultaneously changes dispersed such that the upper portion is seen the environment (Capra 2005; Johnson as the more beneficial and desirable position 2002). The dynamic quality of complex while the bottom is discredited. systems calls for non-linear descriptions, The logic of domination is the which confounds the process of prediction culmination of value dualisms and value and control and entails a holistic approach. hierarchies in an oppressive conceptual Complexity theory is a framework. An oppressive conceptual more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts theory that framework consists of values, beliefs, requires its practitioners to step outside of attitudes and assumptions, that contribute, reductive knowledge seeking norms and sustain or reproduce ideas so as to support embrace alternate ways of looking and social inequities (Warren 2000). "The problem thinking that Brent Davis and Dennis Sumara is not simply that value-hierarchal thinking (2006, 3) refer to as "transdisciplinary." It is a and value-dualisms are used, but the way in theory that requires its practitioners to which each has been used in oppressive relinquish monistic perspectives of the world conceptual frameworks to establish inferiority and embrace multiplicity as a constructive and to justify subordination" (Warren 1996, concept of reality. 21). Ecofeminist theory holds that the proliferation of this logic is evident in Ecofeminist Theory normative social-organizing practices and There are many themes and their resulting social institutions. The objective variations of ecofeminism which makes it is to seek out and uproot such structures via difficult to pin to a single definition, but the processes that are both discursive and common thread is that ecofeminist theory material. In other words, ecofeminist theory argues that women and nature are often seeks to recast the cognitive, linguistic, or positioned together at the bottom of logical in such a way as to expose the oppressive hierarchies. This position interconnectedness to the material, empirical, accounts for a twinned oppression that is or intuitive. conceptual, material, and prototypical of other Ecofeminist theory has been harshly forms of domination. Ecofeminism is by no criticized for a perceived affirmation of the means a predominantly theoretical essentializing woman/nature affiliation, but perspective and indeed a major element of such a caricature is facing contemporary ecofeminist work is evident in grassroots challenge. Stacy Alaimo and Susan Hekman activism that highlights empirical realities of (2008), for example, suggest that in a bid to the connection between environmental issues hedge themselves from essentialist and the lived experiences of women and associations, feminist scholars of the other Others (W arren 1997). Although the aim postmodern genre have focused on the of this paper is not to exclude the multifarious discursive as a means of uprooting positions that exist under the banner of entrenched oppressive dichotomies such as ecofeminism, the theoretical work of Karen feminine/masculine which pit one against the Warren provides the philosophical base from other in an oppositional and adversarial which I proceed. manner. Though important and insightful, this Warren constructs a philosophical linguistic turn constitutes reality as a product foundation upon which explanation for the of language, a social construction, thus host of "isms of domination" (Warren 2000, obstructing the possibility of meaningful 67) can be situated. Value dualisms, as access to a material realm (Alaimo and Warren (1996; 1997; 2000) describes them, Hekman 2008). Yet, as ecofeminist theory are sets of idea pairs in which each member holds, it is the material realm, the realm of of the pair is constructed as an opposite, matter and its entailments, or more separate, and distinct entity. Value specifically, material bodies, that hosts the hierarchies, according to Warren, are the tangible effects of oppression and injustice. It conceptual placement of ideas into an is the body that fuses the biological and social up-down arrangement with the value realms into a blurrily bounded spiral of forms

88 Atlantis 34.2, 2010 PR www.msvu.ca/atlantis and realities, and it is on this site of interaction the smaller the scale the greater the detail where ecofeminism specifically and material and the larger the measurement (Suteanu feminisms in general are focused. Material 2005). Without a measurement toolbox, the feminist theories posit ways of seeing the project of predictability also becomes world as composed of multifarious agential problematic. Without measurement and bodies, thus inviting new ways of predictability, repeatability is not really a viable conceptualizing the relationship between the objective. human and nonhuman world. The space Ecofeminist discourse also outside the boundaries of essentialism problematizes many traditional scientific created by this theorizing opens the door to approaches, and in this way it might be meaningful engagement with a broad argued that complexity theory has been spectrum of phenomena that constitutes inherent in ecofeminist theory all along. realities. With careful consideration and Carolyn Merchant (1980; 1992), for example, articulation, ecofeminism should fit nicely into discusses the ways in which mechanistic the material feminist genre. ideology facilitated the death of nature metaphor, thus allowing nature to be immune The Common Ground from ethical considerations and free for At the core of ecofeminist theory, as unfettered exploitation. The location of with complexity theory, lays a critique of an expertise in an enterprise based on exerting entire epistemic paradigm inherited from an uniformity via perceptual practices that era of mechanistic ideology. The metaphor of convert whole entities into basic discrete parts the world as a machine has been a dominant is labelled by Vandana Shiva (Mies and Shiva mindset since the Scientific Revolution 1993, 24) as "a source of violence against (Merchant1980). This metaphor embraces an nature and women" because it dismisses the ideology of separate, isolatable, discrete, and relational aspect of systems and discredits conquerable parts that fit together in a ways of knowing that for centuries belonged "correct" way. Karan Barad (2008) traces the to the domain of women. Contrary to the birth of atomistic metaphysics back to the death view, ecofeminist theory focuses on pre-Socratic philosophy of Democritus in embodied epistemic approaches as integral to which it was purported that knowledge of the the flourishing of life and necessary for conglomerate was attainable through responsible epistemic practices. knowledge of the smallest fundamental Complexity theory constructs the indivisible unit. The atomistic concept of relationship between the observer and the separation accentuates the notion of observed as one of deep entanglement thus individuality and independence that negates a purporting an embodied epistemology prominent assertion of ancient wisdom which (Cudworth 2005; Davis 2004). Complex is a keystone of ecofeminist theory - the unity systems are nested structures that require and interdependence of all (Spretnak 1999). some degree of perceptual agility. Nested Complexity theory, as with structures, such as in the ecofeminism, inquires into the space between organ-body-community example, are not individual entities; it highlights the necessarily hard and fast structures with relationships or the patterns produced in distinct boundaries. Rather, they can be multiplicity. Reductionism is rejected by both loosely bounded structures that largely theories, thus alternative epistemic practices depend on an observer's perceptual focus are necessary. Non-reductionism poses moving further and further into abstraction challenges to the traditional scientific method relative to an original focal point. At what in such areas as measurability, predictability point, for example, is a group of people living and repeatability (Suteanu 2005). The in close proximity labelled as a community as irreducible nature of complex systems makes opposed to just a group of people living close the task of measuring in a traditional sense to one another? This is a difficult question and problematic because the measurement the answer would likely differ among changes depending on the scale being used: respondents. There are, no doubt, "real"

www.msvu.ca/atlantis PR Atlantis 34.2, 2010 89 defining characteristics of complex systems, perspective. but these characteristics are highly Karan Barad (2008) proposes a entrenched in the observer's perceptual performative metaphysic that takes into practices. account one's situatedness within the world For ecofeminism, the world, the without objectifying it. Such a metaphysic universe, the cosmos, and humanity are all requires one to acknowledge the made up of material entities - bodies. Stacey co-participation of actors, be they human or Alaimo (2008) suggests the term otherwise, in the being and becoming of the "trans-corporeality" to signify the common material world. For Barad, the epistemological materiality of various bodies, thereby unit is a phenomena which is inherently highlighting the coherence between entity and multiple as it emerges out of "agential environment. This theoretical space is intra-action" (2008, 132). It is at this point that significant because it exposes some of the complexity theory and materialist theories causal complexities between the mental and seem to converge: for both perspectives, the extra-mental world. "The material level is understanding, knowing and seeing is an act where dominations assume physical form, of performativity (Barad 2008) that takes often embodied in specific institutions and place trans-corporeally (Alaimo 2008) or their associated practice" (Cudworth 2005, 3). between material bodies via multifarious acts The mechanistic ordering of the intellectual of intercourse or "conversation" (Haraway world translates into institutions, practices and 2008, 164). technologies that structure the material world Although complexity theory and in specific ways. These structures impact ecofeminism share a number of elements, social and ecological environments and "are their specific academic domains differ; often experienced most directly and however, Erika Cudworth (2005) argues pertinently as effects on human bodies" explicitly for the uptake of complexity theory (Cudworth 2005, 3). The body is by ecofeminists. She develops a multiple simultaneously biological and social. systems approach that she calls Both complexity theory and material "anthroparchy" to describe the domination of feminist theories suggest that an atomistic the non-human environment by humans as a perspective is not sustainable, and within the species. "This systematic conception involves context of what Alaimo and Heckman label as structures, sets of relations of power and "the material turn in feminist theory" (2008, 7), domination which operate to different degrees Karan Barad develops the theory of and have different forms, and are resultant "posthumanist performativity" (2008, 120) from normative practice" (2005, 8). which resembles complexity theory in Cudworth's approach highlights the nested significant ways. Not only do they both claim structure familiar to complex systems. She a foundation in the physical sciences, but they describes three levels of domination. both offer a concept of reality that portrays the Discourse, which is the embedding of material world as dynamic, agential, concepts and ideas into day-to-day social, interpenetrated forces from which novel economic, and political practices, is phenomena emerge. Moving away from an implicated in various forms of oppressive ontological assumption of the world as power relations. Discourses cohere into consisting of discrete units connected via systems such as patriarchy, for example, straightforward unidirectional static forces, which involve patterns of normative Barad (2008, 126) describes a world as "one institutions and practices that constrain that incorporates important material and women. Furthermore, various structures discursive, social and scientific, human and including patriarchy, capitalism, and nonhuman, and natural and cultural factors" in post-colonialism develop and cohere into a processes of inter-action or performativity, complex system of oppression (anthroparchy) thus blurring the boundaries between the that operates differentially at various sites. concept of "human" and "nonhuman." Such a From this framework, complexity theory can concept demands a significant alternate elucidate the properties of domination, and

90 Atlantis 34.2, 2010 PR www.msvu.ca/atlantis the objective is to more thoroughly demand a monistic response to a pluralistic understand how complex systems work in reality. On one hand, it seems that the order to make pro-social changes that take description of domination hierarchies as solid, into account the embeddedness of human rigid, and maladaptive is reflective of and society in the natural or more-than-human inspired by the very ideology that ecofeminists world. critique. On the other hand, that Cudworth neglects to include a concept of robustness in Discrepancy her version results in the harnessing of Some ecofeminists have described complexity to a monistic perceptual practice, domination as practices in hierarchal is an under-engagement of complexity, and is structures that are rigid, maladaptive, and also reflective of mechanistic thinking. imposing systems, and this differs Complex systems are both open and closed dramatically from Cudworth's systems. For example, although the human conceptualization. For example, Karen body must be open to environmental Warren (1996; 1997; 2000) discusses interactions, it is structurally closed, and for oppressive hierarchies as fundamental an undetermined amount of time it maintains structuring elements of oppressive conceptual a rather robust structure. In other words, frameworks that restrict and hamper life human bodies more or less remain human processes. Carolyn Merchant (1992) positions bodies throughout the duration of a lifespan. hierarchy as a ubiquitous pillar of warfare, Likewise, the robustness of domination economic oppression, and a fundamental hierarchies is highly contingent on the facilitator of a rigid imbalance that positions perpetual flux of social participation. Thus, no males over females in that profoundly singular vision is sufficient. anti-ecological configuration. Janis Birkeland At issue here is an understanding of (1993, 17) describes hierarchies as locations plurality. The hierarchy question is an of command and control that "are simply either/or question but conversion to a maladaptive in an age of toxic waste and both/and type of question would necessarily nuclear weapons" and Riane Eisler (1988), in entail the inclusion of space for either/or recasting the ancient history of cultural questions as well. Epistemic practices that origins, describes the development of require a shift to multiple vision must realize domination hierarchies as a model of social that the multiple necessarily includes the organization that is inflexible and singular. This is truly trickster terrain. As unsustainable. By contrast, a systems Donna Haraway (2008, 163) points out, perspective suggests that such structures are "machine, organism, and human embodiment fluid and dynamic. all were articulated - brought into a particular To understand this issue it is co-constitutive relationship" [emphasis in necessary to turn to the epistemic original] which, I might add, involves a social implications of complexity theory. Complexity history of atomistic and mechanistic thinking. theory has at times been heralded as a major Where ecofeminist theory has often fallen paradigm shift in scientific thought (Capra short is in trying to rewrite this history without 1996 & 2005; Prigogine 1996). The shift fully appreciating the extent to which their involves a move away from the linear discursive tools are creative embodiments of approach of classic Newtonian physics to the mechanistic ideology they reject. It seems embrace non-linearity as a major constituting to me that material feminist theory, including universal force. Within the Newtonian ecofeminism, must embrace a fully engaged worldview the elements of certainty, control, complexity, which is to say that it must evenness, uniformity, and constancy are the develop a type of bi-focal vision that valued visual markers (Prigogine 1996). accommodates plurality as simultaneously Consequently they inspire and inform a single and plural, and this will require a particular type of questioning. curdled logic. To ask whether domination There are some cautionary points to hierarchies are either dynamic or rigid is to be made in regards to the uptake of

www.msvu.ca/atlantis PR Atlantis 34.2, 2010 91 complexity theory in ecofeminism. Problems changing and varied contexts. Indeed, arise when the purpose of fusing complexity complexity theory has been taken up in a theory to ecofeminism is to create specific number of capacities by institutions social changes. Complexity theory, notoriously associated with dominitory purportedly, eschews predictive practices; hierarchies: the state (Moffatt 2003), the therefore, if it can be used to dissect, create, church (Wollert 2004), and corporations or manipulate social patterns in particular (Senge 2006). Thus, as the issues of social ways, social systems of domination become structures and the problems of domination conceptually denigrated to simply complicated continue to garnish theoretical attention, (meaning predictable given known variables ecofeminists, as Erika Cudworth (2005) (Davis and Sumara 2006)), and not complex suggests, could benefit from the broad range (meaning unpredictable given the exponential of conceptual tools that complexity theory has or more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts nature to offer. Complexivists too may benefit from (Davis and Sumara 2006)). Furthermore, it is epistemic values and ethical commitments unclear what connection(s) if any there are or that are at the core of ecofeminist theory. can be between complexity theory and These are values of being and becoming that notions of ethics or morality. would set the boundaries of its application. Complex systems develop through There is no guarantee that what becomes will the local interaction of individual agents; be better than what is; however, bi-focal however, they are typically not egalitarian. vision allows for a perception of multiple Often discussed in terms of network theory, realities, of blurred boundaries, ambiguities, agents of complex systems are referred to as liminal spaces, places where one can interact nodes, and the development of a network with what is and with what could be. generally involves the super connectedness Successful coalition of complexity of only a few nodes within the network theory and ecofeminism rests on the (Barbarasi 2003). These highly connected development of a bi-focal vision, a continued individuals - called "hubs" in network theory openness to novelty and uncertainty, and a (2003, 55) - are responsible both directly and foundation of responsible epistemic values. indirectly for the growth and development of Complexivists that only see one dimension of the system. So, if complexity theory is used a complex system have the same monistic as a model for social change, there is a high epistemic values as those associated with a probability of the development of such mechanistic mindset. Yet, ecofeminists who powerful individuals. This might not be do not see a monistic mindset as a problematic if the individuals are morally constitutive element of plurality employ a conscious, but this scenario, on the surface at similar reductive strategy by reducing upward, least, seems to differ little from that of a or in other words, constricting the space of potentially benevolent dictator. Furthermore, plurality. although complex systems demonstrate a This sounds like remarkably high degree of stability, they are susceptible dangerous territory for an academic paper, to a fairly simple demise: it takes only one but it is an idea that is ancient: If we change blow to a highly connected individual to the way we look at things, the things we look destroy the whole system. These issues have at change. Of course this is metaphoric, and yet to be sorted out and so it seems to me I am not suggesting that I can wield some that there is some serious work to be done in kind of Superman laser eye and convert solid the context of this theoretical union. objects to dust. But clearly we can engage a Complexity is an effective tool for variety of perspectives on a single issue that creating and inspiring robust creative allows for a degree of uncertainty and structures, but there is a risk inherent in the unpredictability, which would in turn grant a unpredictable nature of complex systems. degree of freedom to whatever it is that is Highly adaptable structures can facilitate the subject to our gaze. I turn now to explore maintenance and reproduction of oppressive curdled logic as a way of thinking about systems as they respond effectively to bi-focal vision, or in other words, how to think

92 Atlantis 34.2, 2010 PR www.msvu.ca/atlantis about thinking in multiple. the world that spans an expansive epistemic territory. "According to the logic of curdling, Logics the social world is complex and Purity, for Maria Lugones (2003), is a heterogeneous and each person is multiple, concept that describes a pervasive epistemic nonfragmented, embodied" (Lugones 2003, norm. "According to the logic of purity, the 127). Like a kaleidoscope of colours, social world is unified and fragmented, ambiguity renders dichotomies powerless and homogenous, hierarchically ordered" calls focus to the worlds of dreams and (Lugones 2003, 127). This logic demands imaginations. It validates contradiction and purity and certainty, which subsumes diversity paradoxes as critical constructors of interest and maybes. Such a perspective denies the and complexities. In this logic lies the living history of the world in which beings possibility for reasoning in a classical sense become, develop and change by positing the with all its dichotomies, hierarchies and clear isolated abstract as the ideal reality. searches for absolutes and concretes; but it Purity as an objective goal negates the limits them to specific situations and dynamic adaptation and creative existence of conditions. Lugones (2003, 125) describes beings and entities that are irreducibly the logic of curdling as a "hybrid" imagination, complex. and this description challenges the unity of Yet, I would not advocate that purity worldviews that claim broad closed territories. in all forms be done away with entirely; It allows mechanistic reasoning to work well epistemic norms are important and for machines and technology without necessary. Certainly I am not ready to part stretching that conceptual canvas to cover with the technological furnishings that have entire cosmologies and smother the living been developed under its practice. There is world. no turning back. The world is our history, and Responsible epistemic practices and the ways in which it has been known bi-focal perception is engagement with a real contribute to how it is and who we are. Clarity material world. This engagement is not to is still an important element of yield nice clean theories of appropriation and communication, growth and development. objectification; rather, it is to dance with the When I take my children to the hospital, I bodies around us, to "be" together and to would prefer that the attendants are clear, "know" one another through conversation and sure and absolute about what they need to do other meaning-making activities. Donna and how they need to do it. I want my Haraway (2008) sees these activities, these mechanics to be clear, sure, and absolute conversations, as themselves a form of life about what my car needs to run safely. It is such that knowledge emerges from not yet time to relinquish such epistemic connection. Navigating such a densely norms entirely. populated terrain requires adept perceptual At the same time, I am not sure if agility. It requires what Barad (2008, 147) anything is ever really pure. There is very little calls an "onto-epistem-ology - the study of certainty. The attendants at the hospital make practices of knowing in being." an informed guess as to the appropriate It is a curdled logic for what I have actions to take, but there is no guarantee. So called a bi-focal vision that will facilitate a it seems to me that to the extent that successful coalition of complexity and epistemic norms exclude multiplicity and ecofeminism because it accommodates a uncertainty as important elements of purity, multi-dimensional way of being that navigates "domination, in which power and ideology are among what is and what is possible. From at all times changing into each other" this perspective, entities are seen as (Lugones 2009, 127) remains a reality. To consisting of multiple parts - identities, challenge and resist requires a curdled logic. cultures, practices, experiences - that often What is needed is a way to have one's cake work in contradiction to one another and feed and eat it too - so to speak. on the tensions of ambiguity. Both complexity Curdled logic implies an open view of theory and ecofeminism speak as much to

www.msvu.ca/atlantis PR Atlantis 34.2, 2010 93 the observer as to the observed, and so while and Research. 1st ed. Mahwah, NJ: one may not be able to change the world in Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2006. specific ways, one can perhaps, as Maria Lugones might say, step into the limen, an Eisler, R. The Chalice and the Blade: Our open a space where there is hope for History, Our Future. New York: Harper & something new, something hopefully better. Row, 1988.

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