Feminist

After reading Mansfield, Chapter 5, summarize Irigaray and Butler's arguments. Then tell me whose theory is more "essentialist" in your opinion. Why? Explain both sides of your argument. Tell me why one is more essentialist and why the other is less so (or is "anti-essentialist"). If you have forgotten what those terms mean, this page might help you.

Irigaray argues that feminine sexuality has never been presented as its own process. It has always been a subjugated effect of masculinity. For Irigaray western thought has long been preoccupied with the phalomorphic. Western intellectual thought has not been able to see beyond the scope of their own penises.

Butler takes a more essentialist perspective utilizing foucault's understanding of power relations. Butler argues that gender is a regulated system of performances. These performances are not perfect and as such are in constant flux and disarray. These actions link the subject to identification . The essentialist approach to gender is frustrating as it assumes there is a natural order. If there is a natural order than until it is found the genders would be prone to conflict, if the conflict between the genders becomes a conflict with nature, and nature cannot be conquered for it is the way it is.