Substaining Subjectivity through Metapatriarchal Metaphor and the Dynamic Divine Language and Ontology in Mary Daly's Texts

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Langston, Douglas

Keywords

Language, Ontology, Daly, Mary

Area of Concentration

Religion

Abstract

This thesis deals with the interrelatedness of language and ontology in the texts of Mary Daly. The social system within which Western philosophical and theological discourses have emerged is characterized by harmfully unegalitarian dualisms and hierarchical dyadic structures. This system contributes to distorted self development among women. Language, in its function as a medium of communication and relation, expresses the inadequacies of this system: particularly when women's experiences as women need be articulated. Daly points out, in line with other linguistic theorists and radical feminists, that for women to be subjects they need create a linguistic space that configures them as speaking subjects; this must necessarily occur outside of the current system in which they are objects (other) to male subjects. By affirming their subjectivity, in contrast to their historical othering, women undergo a process of self- empowerment that is equivalent with a deep and meaningful connection with divine power. Daly contests what she considers to be patriarchal categories: revising notions of being (she exchanges verbed 'Be-ing' for the static noun 'being'), conceiving time nonlinearly, and configuring space external to patriarchal (male-constructed) space. Daly's work is influenced by theologian Paul Tillich; particularly in her link of ontology with linguistics. Daly's critics say the solutions she offers to address women's erasure within patriarchal society are limited. Her work is examined in its relationship to similar works by women of color with the hopes of highlighting its capacity for creating dialogue.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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