Working with Aggression in our Activism Contributions of Feminist Psychoanalysis & Feminist Ethics Anika Meckesheimer & Barbara Williams AWID Forum 2008

Goals & Purpose of this Session Present ideas from feminist psychoanalysis and feminist ethics about aggression & ethics Explore effects of aggression on our relations in organizations and movements Support autonomy in meaning making Stimulate ideas for building new ways of working together

Overview of the Agenda Introductions Method Input on feminist ethics Input on aggression Discussion in small groups and plenary What we can do differently

Method Mindmapping and the building of knowledge Rhizome figure (Deleuze/Guattari) -connect and interrelate dimensions of aggression - identify shared understandings and differences Recognition of difference in building relationality Focus on thinking and sharing experience

Method Mindmapping and the building of knowledge Rhizome figure (Deleuze/Guattari) -connect and interrelate dimensions of aggression - identify shared understandings and differences Recognition of difference in building relationality Focus on thinking and sharing experience

Introductions Who we are Who you are: –In your group Name, affiliation (organization, group), country Words or images you associate with aggression Words or images to capture how aggression effects your work

Feminist Ethics as method Ethics as Philosophy of Practice How shall we act to achieve a good life? Feminist thought on ethics as model of questioning, based on situatedness:

Situatedness Perspective: Who how thinks we should act? Focus: Who puts the focus on which kind of aspects of life? Who is naming, signifying, creating new cultures?

Analysis of classical discourse Examples of classical disciplines: Descriptive ethics Normative ethics Ethical codes There cannot be a universalist ethics, Certain aspects might only be seen from certain perspectives

Ethics of care Carol Gilligan (1982) In a Different Voice Kohlbergs Dilemma presented to boys AND girls Ethics of pleasure Graciela Hierro, Mexico UNAM (2001)

Foucault on Ethics Ethics as relationship with oneself (1984) Ethics: life as a work of art Based on a critical analysis of social discourse as tools for understanding ones own ways of acting Feminist ethical thought for creating references and guidelines

Aggression Thinkers Freud Post-Freudians: –Winnicott, Lacan Feminist psychoanalytic thinkers: –Kristeva, Benjamin, Fernández –Silkenbäumer Bion

Thoughts on Aggression Aggression as drive and instinct: –A negative force to be contained and constrained –A destructive impulse Aggression as positive energy: – for differentiation, autonomy & creativity

Images Fists Blood Words Tears

Acts Systemic, Interpersonal/group, Intra-psychic Hatred Violence Hostility Violation Threats Exclusions Anger Apathy Creativity Assertion Refusals

How Aggression Effects our Activisms How can aggression impede and/or help our activism?

Possibilities Discussion: How can we deal with aggression to strengthen/deepen/help our activism? Which are constructive forms of/ constructive experiences with aggression?

Many thanks!