In contemporary philosophy, there has been an increasing interest in the relationship between time and ethics. One approach to this connection is through the concept of "queer temporality," which emphasizes the importance of non-linear, embodied experiences and relationships in shaping moral decisions. This essay will explore how queer temporality can challenge traditional models of time and ethics, particularly those that prioritize rational decision-making and future-oriented planning.
To understand queer temporality, it's helpful to start with what it is not. It is not simply about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or any other identity under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Rather, queer temporality refers to a way of thinking about time that centers present-moment engagement, relational responsiveness, and affective attunement rather than linear progression or abstract concepts like justice or fairness. It emerges from an understanding of time as fluid and subjective, shaped by social, cultural, and historical contexts.
This perspective challenges dominant narratives around temporality, such as the idea that time moves forward in a straight line towards a predetermined endpoint. Queer temporalities instead suggest that time is cyclical, recursive, and multidimensional, allowing for new meanings and possibilities to arise at every moment. This reframing of time also leads to a shift in ethical reflection, where individuals focus on the present and their interconnectedness with others rather than on abstract ideals or hypothetical scenarios.
In contrast to traditional approaches to ethics, queer temporality does not see the world through a binary lens of right and wrong but recognizes the complexity and ambiguity inherent in human experience. As philosopher Lauren Berlant argues, "the queer temporal mode rejects the presumption that one must choose between a past and a present," highlighting how we are always situated within multiple temporal dimensions. This can be seen in how queer communities have historically resisted dominant narratives by refusing to accept a heteronormative future while also living in the present.
Queer temporality also emphasizes the importance of affective attunement, which involves paying attention to emotional responses and bodily sensations. Rather than viewing feelings as irrational or unimportant, it acknowledges their role in moral decision-making.
Queer communities may prioritize intimacy over productivity, recognizing that relationships and pleasure are essential to wellbeing and flourishing.
This approach to time and morality has implications for social justice movements. By focusing on the present and our interconnectedness with others, we can challenge power dynamics and work towards collective liberation. We might imagine a society where caregiving is valued above profit maximization, and where the needs of vulnerable populations are met first. Similarly, by centering embodied experiences, queer temporality challenges the idea that individuals should strive for objectivity or neutrality, encouraging instead a recognition of personal biases and subjectivities.
In sum, queer temporality reframes ethical reflection by prioritizing present-moment engagement, relational responsiveness, and affective attunement. It encourages us to embrace complexity, reject binary thinking, and recognize the importance of human connection. While this perspective may seem counterintuitive at first glance, it offers an alternative to traditional models that see time as linear and abstract, and provides new possibilities for ethical reflection.
In what ways does queer temporality reframe ethical reflection by prioritizing present-moment engagement, relational responsiveness, and affective attunement?
Queer temporality reframes ethical reflection by emphasizing the importance of being present and engaged in the moment, paying attention to relationships and feelings, and cultivating an awareness of one's own emotions and those of others. By focusing on these aspects rather than on abstract concepts or goals, it encourages people to be more mindful of their actions and how they impact themselves and others around them.