The question relates to the idea of an essential similarity between the subjugation of women and the subjugation of nature. To address this, we need to understand which feminist thinkers have emphasized this concept.
Among the given options, the thinker who is most closely associated with linking the subjugation of women and the subjugation of nature is Vandana Shiva. Vandana Shiva is a renowned Indian scholar, environmental activist, and eco-feminist who has extensively discussed the interconnectedness between ecological degradation and the oppression of women.
Vandana Shiva argues that the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women stem from the same patriarchal values and systems that prioritize profit and control over sustainability and care. She highlights how both women and the environment have been historically undervalued and mistreated by patriarchal structures, urging for an awareness that recognizes the parallels in these forms of subjugation.
To justify why Vandana Shiva is the correct answer, we must consider her pioneering work in the field of eco-feminism, where she points out these critical connections. Other mentioned thinkers, while significant in their contributions to feminism, have not specifically aligned their theories with subjugation of nature as closely as Vandana Shiva has.
In conclusion, the idea of an essential similarity between the subjugation of women and the subjugation of nature is most closely related to Vandana Shiva. This aligns with her broader philosophical and theoretical contributions to eco-feminism.