생명여성주의와 모성

Bio-Feminism and Motherhood

(This paper is a part of the author's Ph.D. dissertation entitled, "An Ontological Study on Bio-Feminism: Centering on Prajna-paramita Buddhism and Taoism" submitted in 1998). Nowadays the distinction between male and female has disappeared in some animals. Eighty to ninety percent of some fish and shelifish are hermaphrodites. The reproduction of species has thus been in deep crisis. We are confronted with such a breakdown. Our concern about this situation has also increased. The common concerns of feminism and ecology resulted in studies and discussions about ecological feminism. This study accepts this penetrating view of ecologists' and eco-feminists'. The background of this study is as follows: First, this paper sympathizes with the eco-feminists' effort in order to join ecology with feminism. Second, this study accepts the view of ecology and eco-feminism, which regards environmental problems as ontological ones. However, it is understood that spirituality has been speculated as ma-ŏm(心) in an Asian world. A structure or a system can collapse but it cannot build itself. Namely, change and praxis are ultimately a person's task not that of an organization. So being and personhood is a critical project for study. Spirituality of Western. ecology and eco-feminism and ma-ŏm, mu-a(無我), mu-wy(無爲) (action in accordance with tao) of an Asian organic philosophy, are been proposed here, as an answer to this research question. This paper has explored femininity as distortion of ma-ŏm. Specifically this study has focused on symbols of Korean matrifocal motherhood, which have been understood as symbols of patriarchal femininity. Motherhood, this implied the rearing of an elite son in traditional feudal society. It has influenced on mothers of the whole social strata as a dominant cultural symbol. Then, how can we escape from patriarchy and patriachal femininity? This study shows that it can be realized by the creation of a 'new personhood'. This means that we, as women, have reverted back to ma-ŏm. Becoming a woman as a new ex-patriarchal personhood means giving up one's attachments to patriarchal femininity, remembering Great-Goddess archetype of ancient times and elevating it into mu-a. Finally, this study has discovered mu-a as a new personhood form, which will be a founding stone to lead sound everyday life and establish the post-patriarchal society in the long-term. In this respect, this paper concludes that the 'Person' is the only hope for the future society.