The study of queer emotion and affect has been gaining increasing attention in recent years due to its potential implications for understanding the nature of empathy, relationality, and moral reasoning. Queer theory argues that emotions and affect are closely tied to identity and social norms, which can be challenged through subversive practices such as drag performance and kink culture. By examining these non-normative forms of embodiment, queer studies can reveal new insights into the ways that emotions shape power dynamics and interpersonal relationships. In this article, I will discuss how queer emotion and affect have influenced philosophical understandings of empathy, relationality, and moral reasoning, focusing on three key areas:
1) The role of desire and pleasure in shaping moral action;
2) The relationship between affect and relationality;
3) The importance of queer emotion and affect for developing a more inclusive ethics.
Desire and Pleasure in Shaping Moral Action
One way that queer theories have contributed to philosophical debates about morality is by emphasizing the role of desire and pleasure in shaping moral action.
The queer theorist Lauren Berlant argues that "pleasure" should not be viewed solely as a physical sensation but also as a political concept that shapes our experiences of the world around us. According to Berlant, we often engage with pleasure in ways that reinforce social norms and hierarchies, such as through consumerism or patriarchy.
She suggests that we could instead use pleasure to challenge those norms and create more egalitarian forms of community. This view has been influential in feminist philosophy, where it has inspired discussions about the ethics of pleasure, intimacy, and care (e.g., Sally Haslanger).
Affect and Relationality
Another important area where queer theory has impacted philosophical thinking is the relationship between affect and relationality. Affect refers to the emotional responses that occur when individuals interact with one another, while relationality refers to the web of connections that shape those interactions. According to queer theorists like Eve Sedgwick, these two concepts are intertwined, as they both involve negotiating power dynamics within relationships. Sedgwick argues that affect can be used to disrupt traditional models of gender and sexuality, which rely on binary categories and fixed identities. By acknowledging the fluidity of emotion and identity, queer studies can offer new insights into how relationships can become more inclusive and equitable.
Queer Emotions and Inclusive Ethics
Queer theories have contributed to debates about inclusive ethics by emphasizing the importance of recognizing non-normative forms of embodiment.
The philosopher Bonnie Dow argues that a "queer ethic" would prioritize "disidentification" from dominant norms and practices, allowing for alternative forms of social organization and connection. This approach challenges traditional notions of morality, which often assume a universal standard for human behavior based on Western values. Instead, Dow proposes a model of ethics that recognizes diverse experiences and perspectives, including those related to race, class, ability, and sexual orientation. By doing so, she suggests we could create a more just society that accommodates all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.
The study of queer emotion and affect has had significant impact on philosophical understandings of empathy, relationality, and moral reasoning. By exploring non-normative forms of embodiment, queer theory has revealed new ways in which emotions shape our interactions with others and our understanding of ourselves. As such, it offers valuable insights into how we might create a more inclusive and egalitarian world.
How does the study of queer emotion and affect inform philosophical understandings of empathy, relationality, and moral reasoning?
The study of queer emotion and affect provides insights into how empathy, relationality, and moral reasoning are affected by sociocultural contexts. Specifically, it highlights the role of marginalized identities in shaping these processes and challenges traditional conceptions of them as universal and fixed.