Bisexual narratives are stories that involve romantic and sexual attraction to people who identify as men and women simultaneously. These narratives have become more popular in recent years due to their representation in media and entertainment, but they have also been a part of human history for centuries.
These narratives can pose challenges to traditional philosophical assumptions regarding commitment, singularity, and ethical relationality.
The idea of a single monogamous partner has long been seen as the ideal form of relationship. In this view, individuals are expected to find one person with whom they will be exclusive and remain committed throughout their lives. This approach assumes that individuals can only love one person at a time and that it is unethical to be attracted to multiple partners concurrently. Bisexual narratives challenge this assumption by suggesting that individuals can experience romantic and sexual attraction to both men and women simultaneously, often leading to relationships with multiple partners. This can create moral quandaries for those who hold fast to traditional views of commitment and exclusivity.
Bisexual narratives suggest that individuals may not always be able to choose which gender(s) they are attracted to. Rather than being able to selectively pursue relationships based on preference or personal choice, these narratives suggest that attraction is often beyond an individual's control. For some, this suggests that love cannot be reduced to mere choice, as traditionally assumed by many philosophers. Instead, love may be something that simply happens without any conscious effort on the part of the lover.
Bisexual narratives complicate the concept of ethical relationality. Traditional philosophy tends to assume that morality exists between individuals, rather than within them. This means that actions are judged according to how they affect others, but bisexual narratives suggest that intimacy can involve more complex ethical considerations.
If two people in a polyamorous relationship decide to have sex with a third party, how do they balance each other's needs and desires? These questions become even more complicated when considering non-monogamy or open relationships.
Bisexual narratives challenge traditional assumptions about love, commitment, and ethics. They suggest that love is not always rational or predictable, that commitment may not be possible for all individuals, and that intimacy requires complex negotiation between multiple parties. As such, they provide valuable insights into the nature of human relationships and the role of sexuality in our lives.
How do bisexual narratives of love challenge traditional philosophical assumptions about singularity, commitment, and ethical relationality?
The representation of bisexual characters in popular media has increased recently but they still remain marginalized. Their stories are often portrayed as unstable or promiscuous rather than committed and loving relationships. In the context of philosophical theories about monogamy and polyamory, bisexual people's experiences with romantic partnerships can shed light on the complexities of these issues.