Moral essentialism is an ancient philosophical tradition that holds that certain human attributes are natural or necessary. It suggests that there are certain core traits that make up who we fundamentally are and defines what it means to be a good person. In recent years, many scholars have argued that this approach fails to account for diversity among individuals, including their sexual orientation. Bisexuality challenges this view because it demonstrates that people can exist outside of traditional binaries and engage in multiple types of relationships without compromising their identity. By rejecting moral essentialism, bisexuals create new ways of thinking about morality and ethics that challenge traditional power structures. This article will explore how bisexual identity can serve as a critique of moral essentialism and open up possibilities for new modes of relating to others sexually.
The term 'bisexual' refers to individuals who experience attraction to more than one gender. While some people identify exclusively as straight, gay, or lesbian, others may choose to identify as bisexual instead. This label has been used to describe a wide range of identities and experiences, including pansexuality, polyamory, and demisexuality. Despite its fluidity, however, bisexuality remains a powerful way of questioning traditional notions of sexuality. According to philosopher Sara Ahmed, bisexuality "disturbs" heteronormative ideas about gender and sexuality by showing that they are socially constructed rather than naturally occurring. Instead of seeing sexual desire as fixed or binary, bisexuals embrace the idea that sexuality is fluid and ever-changing.
One way that bisexuality disrupts moral essentialism is through its rejection of monogamy. Many philosophers argue that monogamy is a core component of moral virtue, but bisexuality suggests otherwise. By embracing non-monogamy, bisexuals demonstrate that there is no inherent moral value in committing oneself to only one partner at a time. In fact, bisexuals may find it easier to maintain multiple relationships without feeling guilty or conflicted. This is because they do not see themselves as being limited to one type of relationship or another; instead, they view all types of love and intimacy as valid.
Another way that bisexuality challenges moral essentialism is through its emphasis on pleasure. Traditionally, ethical codes have focused on restraint and self-control, prioritizing abstinence over indulgence.
Bisexuality subverts this approach by prioritizing pleasure above all else. As philosopher Martha Nussbaum argues, we need to move away from thinking about sex as something shameful or secretive towards recognizing it as an important part of human life. Bisexuals exemplify this idea by refusing to hide their desires behind closed doors, openly exploring them with partners who share similar interests.
Bisexuality can serve as a critique of moral essentialism by questioning binary categories altogether. The traditional Western understanding of gender is rooted in the idea that men are masculine and women are feminine. But bisexuality shows us that these distinctions are often arbitrary and limiting. It encourages us to think beyond binaries and embrace a wider range of identities, including nonbinary or genderqueer ones. This rejection of binary thinking has far-reaching implications for our understanding of morality, since it suggests that there is no single right way to be good or wrong.
Bisexual identity provides a powerful critique of moral essentialism by demonstrating that sexuality cannot be reduced to fixed traits or behaviors. Instead, it invites us to explore new ways of relating to others sexually and morally. By embracing fluidity, pleasure, and non-conformity, bisexuals challenge assumptions about what it means to be 'good' and 'bad.'
How can bisexual identity serve as a philosophical critique of moral essentialism in sexuality?
Bisexuality is often perceived as an intermediary between heterosexuality and homosexuality and serves as a challenge to the binary nature of sexuality that has been established by Western society since ancient times.