Google doesn’t translate this term, Pelle. Does it roughly refer to those who are involved in gender studies?

I use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs when I lecture about these things!

“The interesting part, in my opinion, is when you compare the individual struggle for ascent in the hierarchy with the same struggle for society, or humankind. Do we control the direction of humankind or is the humankinds direction controlling me?”

I think it’s both

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs it is stated that all humans (regardless of sex) first fill their basic needs like food, water and physical safety before they move on to issues like love and esteem. Last, and highest, in the hierarchy is self-actualization which might be called “individualism” which is what we are talking about.

The interesting part, in my opinion, is when you compare the individual struggle for ascent in the hierarchy with the same struggle for society, or humankind. Do we control the direction of humankind or is the humankinds direction controlling me?

I think a good analogy would be plant growth. When they are saplings it can be difficult to tell sometimes, depending on the species, what genus they are, and it’s only when they grow (ie become more free of their initial conditions based on securing survival) that they grow into what they had the potential to be (with their innate differences becoming more pronounced). I think this research is highlighting and uncovering the particular details on this common evolutionary trend in gender differences.

I agree with you in that it certainly depends on what attributes are measured. According to Deida, the masculine is better at facing death and that theme would go all the way up - males on the battlefield and male existentialists. The feminine embraces life and relationships from being better equipped to caring for the young, to pioneering the first gender liberation movement, feminism. Once biological determinism is overcome, these general themes become more pronounced in endeavors in the mental domain. Both masculine and feminine may end up in the same endeavor, but each will have it’s own distinct ‘flavour’. At least, this is what I’m reading into it…

@Pelle

I’m with you on your understanding of Deida. I think that’s exactly how his stage conception operates. Great post Pelle! Thanks for this. Very interesting…

Taking this evolutionary idea into the other themes highlighted - I think most feminists still suffer from what Wilber calls ‘flatland’ in that they mistakenly believe that all women (people) are at the same developmental stage and want their particular view of gender liberation (or they’re sheep). For example, the burqa and hijab have been seen as a form of gender liberation by many Islamic feminists at different periods and in different places in recent history. Just as they have also been used as a form of oppression. If the feminists truely investigate this particular aspect of Islamic history, hopefully this will give them a greater insight into gender dynamics and it’s relationship to the evolution of consciousness. At the very least, it will confuse them!

I think the situation is the same with porn (ie very complicated!). Developmentalism still informs the best analysis. In some cases, as Gilsey has experiences with, there are some aspects to it that some women find liberating. My personal view is that most forms of porn are not capable of this and are in fact damaging to both men and women, depending where the participants and users are coming from. I think it can only really become in any way beneficial in post-modern societies. Most forms of porn are degrading to both men and women.