Feminist researcher addresses body image issues

Some feminist philosophers believe that women’s ongoing struggles with body image can be blamed on ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle who proclaimed that women did not have a soul. Waikato University doctoral student Jane Cook is studying the denial of soul, or essence as it’s sometimes known, and is one of 15 people world-wide to have been selected to present her work at an international seminar in Ireland later this year.

The seminar is run annually by Belgian-born feminist philosopher, linguist, psychoanalyst and cultural theorist Luce Irigara. To be selected for the seminar Cook presented the issue and arguments of her PhD research and how she is using the work of Irigaray within it.

“I also had to present a list of questions and key words that I would like to ask Irigaray if given the opportunity – and now it seems I’ll have that opportunity. For me it’s a dream come true. She’s a truly feminist philosopher who’s risked all in endeavouring to end all forms of oppression.”

Cook, who suffered from anorexia for nearly twenty years, says her research focuses on the idea that the ancient Greeks and later St Augustine’s views laid the foundation of a biased and therefore incorrect metaphysics which has caused in all girls a disruption of their normal processes of development. “Not just a sense of inner turmoil but a fragmentation and loss of whole selfhood as they learn to see the real sexual female body as defective, disgusting, bad and shameful.”

She says as a means of survival women compulsively and addictively strive to improve, reshape and perfect themselves in order to gain acceptance, approval and conditional love.

“Through research into eating disorders, I conclude that what is currently seen and pathologized as mental disorder or disease, is actually an inner battle for survival of the essential female self. The cure, then, is not medication and immobilisation, but the philosophical and symbolic recognition and expression of what Plato denied; the real female essence.”

Cook’s PhD supervisor Dr Tracy Bowell says it’s a real honour for Jane Cook to have been selected to attend the Irigaray seminar in Limerick. “Jane’s work is truly cutting-edge in the way it combines highly theoretical feminist approaches in metaphysics with an empirical study of women who have actually experienced disordered eating. Jane’s selection for this very prestigious seminar recognises the potential significance of her work and it is a great success story both for Jane and for the University.”

Cook’s other supervisor is Carolyn Michelle who first introduced her to Irigaray’s work in her first year women’s studies paper. Cook expects to complete her PhD at the end of the year. The Tauranga-based organic orchardist received a three-year Waikato University doctoral scholarship to support her study.