How does bisexual experience complicate traditional philosophical notions of selfhood, relational commitment, and ethical responsibility?
Bisexuals are people who have romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attraction to both males and females. Their identity is based on their feelings toward other individuals regardless of gender. Bisexuality has been around for centuries, but it remains an understudied subject in philosophy, particularly when considering how it affects traditional views of selfhood, relational commitment, and ethical responsibility. This paper will explore these issues through a critical analysis of philosophical texts about bisexuality and its implications for personal identity, interpersonal relations, and moral obligation.
Selfhood
Philosophers often assume that the core of one's identity is determined by one's sex or gender.
This assumption is challenged by bisexuals because they do not exclusively identify as male or female. Some argue that bisexuals should choose one side and conform to society's normative expectations, while others claim that bisexuals can exist in multiple identities simultaneously.
Michel Foucault argues that gender is socially constructed rather than biologically determined. He says that individuals are shaped by social institutions and power structures, which influence their behaviors, desires, and beliefs. Thus, bisexuals may be perceived as unstable or indecisive since they cannot conform to rigid social categories.
Relational Commitment
Philosophers also assume that relationships between two heterosexual people are more meaningful than those between same-sex partners. They argue that monogamy promotes stability and longevity while polygamy encourages infidelity. The idea of a committed relationship is rooted in patriarchal values that privilege masculinity over femininity.
Bisexuals complicate this notion by being attracted to both men and women simultaneously. Their attraction does not fit into traditional binaries of love and desire. Bisexual couples may feel torn between their individual needs and their partner's expectations, leading to tension and conflict within the relationship.
Ethical Responsibility
Philosophers view ethics as an essential part of human nature, guiding our actions towards what is good or right. Yet, bisexual experience disrupts this view because it raises questions about sexual orientation and its implications for moral behavior. According to Aristotle, humans have a natural tendency toward certain forms of pleasure, such as eating and sex.
He argued that some pleasures should be avoided because they lead to vice (e.g., gluttony). This suggests that bisexuality may interfere with the pursuit of virtue since it involves multiple types of eroticism.
If bisexuals can be equally attracted to males and females, how do we determine which side of them is morally superior?
How does bisexual experience complicate traditional philosophical notions of selfhood, relational commitment, and ethical responsibility?
Bisexuality is an identity that has historically been marginalized and misunderstood by society. The term "bisexual" was coined in 1914, but it did not become popular until the 1960s when activists began to advocate for sexual liberation and gender equality. Bisexuals are people who are attracted to both men and women, regardless of gender identity. This can be confusing for those who hold more traditional views on sexuality and relationships.