Embedded Files
VISIT ▻ shop.philosop-HER.com
Gig Φ Philosophy: Published July, 2022 [UPDATED 2026]
What is it?
What is it?
Hierarchical Dualism refers to an intersectional system which divides, evaluates, & ranks every aspect of human categorization; subordinating classifications traditionally associated with marginalized communities & privileging select few.
Traditional Associations
Traditional Associations
Mind & Body has been associated with every aspect of dualistic human categorization (including race & gender) generally privileging certain intersectional identities over others (epistemically & socio-economically) by associating them with "superior" qualities / traits / characteristics, skills, capacities, opportunities, & judgments.
Mind & Body has been associated with every aspect of dualistic human categorization (including race & gender) generally privileging certain intersectional identities over others (epistemically & socio-economically) by associating them with "superior" qualities / traits / characteristics, skills, capacities, opportunities, & judgments.
Intersectional Identities
(Race, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, ability, ideology)
Intersectional Identities
(Race, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, ability, ideology)
Epistemic Associations
(Knowledge & Justified Belief)
Epistemic Associations
(Knowledge & Justified Belief)
HEGEMONIC
WHITE CIS-MALE(NESS)
HEGEMONIC
WHITE CIS-MALE(NESS)
Historically: Upper / middle class, heterosexual, physically- & cognitively- abled, Christian (i.e., dominant religion)
Historically: Upper / middle class, heterosexual, physically- & cognitively- abled, Christian (i.e., dominant religion)
NON-HEGEMONIC (MELANATED) FEMALE(NESS)
NON-HEGEMONIC (MELANATED) FEMALE(NESS)
Historically: Anyone viewed / labeled as being
in "opposition" to / outside of the hegemony / binary
Historically: Anyone viewed / labeled as being
in "opposition" to / outside of the hegemony / binary
REASON
Historically linked w/ masculinity
REASON
Historically linked w/ masculinity
Mind
Mind
Rationality
Rationality
The Subject / "Knower"
The Subject / "Knower"
Clear & Determinate
Clear & Determinate
Knowable
Knowable
Must be "sought"
Must be "sought"
EMOTION
Historically linked w/ femininity
EMOTION
Historically linked w/ femininity
Body
Body
Irrationality
Irrationality
The Object / "to be known"
The Object / "to be known"
Vague & Indeterminate
Vague & Indeterminate
Unknowable
Unknowable
Must be "overcome"
Must be "overcome"
Metaphysical Associations
Metaphysical Associations
REAL
Historically linked w/ masculinity
REAL
Historically linked w/ masculinity
The Absolute
The Absolute
Objective Truth
Objective Truth
Defined "in and of itself"
Defined "in and of itself"
Given the benefit of the doubt
Given the benefit of the doubt
Extended Authority
Extended Authority
UNRELIABLE
Historically linked w/ femininity
UNRELIABLE
Historically linked w/ femininity
The Other
The Other
Subjective / Contingent Truth
Subjective / Contingent Truth
Defined only relationally
Defined only relationally
Disbelieved
Disbelieved
Denied Authority
Denied Authority
HUMANITY
Historically w/ white masculinity
HUMANITY
Historically w/ white masculinity
Rational Mind
Rational Mind
Container
Container
Agent (will / autonomy)
Agent (will / autonomy)
Can transcend animal nature
Can transcend animal nature
Light / Sun
Light / Sun
Heaven
Heaven
Orderly
Orderly
ANIMAL NATURE
Historically w/ femininity / melanin
ANIMAL NATURE
Historically w/ femininity / melanin
Emotional Body
Emotional Body
To be contained
To be contained
Object (Sex) to be acted upon
Object (Sex) to be acted upon
Subject to decisions of "Man"
Subject to decisions of "Man"
Dark(ness) / Moon
Dark(ness) / Moon
Earth
Earth
Disorderly
Disorderly
Axiological Associations
(Value Judgments & Expectations)
Axiological Associations
(Value Judgments & Expectations)
Associations with Power
(Systemic & Interpersonal)
Associations with Power
(Systemic & Interpersonal)
GOOD
Historically w/ white masculinity
GOOD
Historically w/ white masculinity
Positive / Neutral
Positive / Neutral
Societal "Norm" / "Ideal"
Societal "Norm" / "Ideal"
Moral / Virtuous
Moral / Virtuous
Regular / Expectation
Regular / Expectation
Strength / Asset
Strength / Asset
Life
Life
BAD
Historically w/ femininity / melanin
BAD
Historically w/ femininity / melanin
Negative / Limited
Negative / Limited
Qualification / Exception
Qualification / Exception
Amoral / Immoral (Sin / Vice)
Amoral / Immoral (Sin / Vice)
Peculiar / Aberration
Peculiar / Aberration
Weakness / Hindrance
Weakness / Hindrance
Death
Death
PRIVILEGED
Historically white masculinity
PRIVILEGED
Historically white masculinity
Superior / Master
Superior / Master
Dominant (not most prevalent)
Dominant (not most prevalent)
Reflects / Maintains status quo
Reflects / Maintains status quo
Active / Doer
Active / Doer
Independent
Independent
Conqueror / Explorer
Conqueror / Explorer
Public = Creator of government & history (citizen)
Public = Creator of government & history (citizen)
SUBORDINATED
Historically femininity / melanin
SUBORDINATED
Historically femininity / melanin
Inferior / Slave
Inferior / Slave
Oppressed
Oppressed
Unconventional / Challenges status quo
Unconventional / Challenges status quo
Passive / to be acted upon
Passive / to be acted upon
Dependent
Dependent
To be Dominated / Keeper of household
To be Dominated / Keeper of household
Private = Satisfies biological / natural needs (sex object)
Private = Satisfies biological / natural needs (sex object)
Conceptual Context
Conceptual Context
How has dualistic thinking resulted in inequality & injustice?
How has dualistic thinking resulted in inequality & injustice?
Value Hierarchy
Value Hierarchy
Learn More ▼
Learn More ▼
Disagree with the associations above? You're not alone!
Disagree with the associations above? You're not alone!
Feminist Reversal of Traditional Normative Associations
Feminist Reversal of Traditional Normative Associations
While many Feminist scholars reject dualism outright, others flip the traditional axiological associations to highlight patterns of patriarchal oppression and realign that which has been historically marginalized with what should be celebrated.
While many Feminist scholars reject dualism outright, others flip the traditional axiological associations to highlight patterns of patriarchal oppression and realign that which has been historically marginalized with what should be celebrated.
REDEFINING "HEGEMONIC"
REDEFINING "HEGEMONIC"
Hierarchical
Hierarchical
Individualistic
Individualistic
Dismissive & Competitive
Dismissive & Competitive
Conservatism / Technocratic / Kleptocratic
Conservatism / Technocratic / Kleptocratic
Scarcity / Short-term mindset
Scarcity / Short-term mindset
Racist & Antifeminist (White Nationalist)
Racist & Antifeminist (White Nationalist)
Homogeneity, Exclusion, & Isolationism
Homogeneity, Exclusion, & Isolationism
Patriarchal / Oppressive
Patriarchal / Oppressive
Defensive / Revisionist
Defensive / Revisionist
Rigid / Disempowering
Rigid / Disempowering
Narrow / Simplistic
Narrow / Simplistic
Volatility
Volatility
REDEFINING "NON-HEGEMONIC"
REDEFINING "NON-HEGEMONIC"
Egalitarian
Egalitarian
Communal
Communal
Compassionate & Collaborative
Compassionate & Collaborative
Liberalism / Democratic / Socialist
Liberalism / Democratic / Socialist
Abundance / Long-term mindset
Abundance / Long-term mindset
Antiracist & Feminist (Social Justice)
Antiracist & Feminist (Social Justice)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Transformative / Subversive
Transformative / Subversive
Activist / Reconstructionist
Activist / Reconstructionist
Adaptive / Empowering
Adaptive / Empowering
Broad / Holistic
Broad / Holistic
Predictability / Stability
Predictability / Stability
Google Sites
Report abuse