Mortality is understood to be the fact that humans are subject to death. It is characterized by the finite nature of human existence and it refers to the process of dying. As individuals, we face our own mortality differently based on our individual experiences and beliefs. In terms of philosophy, mortality is often explored through various theories such as existentialism and nihilism which aim at understanding the nature of reality and its meaning. Queer engagements refer to the experience of non-conforming individuals who may feel alienated from their gender identity due to societal expectations. This paper seeks to explore how queer engagement with mortality, finitude, and existential meaning-making provides new philosophical insights into these concepts.
I will delve into how queerness challenges traditional understandings of mortality and finitude. Traditional mortality theory is centered around the notion that life has an objective meaning but this perspective does not take into account subjective experiences. Therefore, the notion of the sublime can be used to describe how mortality becomes more meaningful when it is approached from a queer perspective. The concept of finitude refers to the limits imposed on human existence which limit our potentialities for action.
Queer individuals tend to challenge these boundaries and create their own meaning in the world.
I will explore how queer engagements with mortality influence existential meaning making. Existentialists believe that humans have no ultimate purpose or meaning outside of their choices.
Camus argues that humanity's greatest achievement lies in recognizing and embracing death. Thus, by living authentically, humans gain freedom over their lives. Similarly, Foucault claims that people create meaning through language, power structures, and discourses. By exploring these themes in relation to queerness, we can develop a deeper understanding of how individual agency shapes meaning-making processes.
I will examine how queer engagements with mortality offer insights into the nature of reality. According to phenomenology, reality exists only as it appears to consciousness; thus, there is no universal truth about what is real. This view implies that reality is shaped by our perceptions and experiences. In line with this idea, queer engagement suggests that gender identity is socially constructed rather than biologically determined.
Social constructionism suggests that sexual orientation is also socially created rather than innate. As such, individuals may experience multiple identities simultaneously which challenges traditional concepts of selfhood. Therefore, queerness provides a new way to understand reality beyond binary categories.
Queer engagement with mortality, finitude, and existential meaning-making offers philosophical insight into these concepts. Queerness allows for the recognition of subjective experiences and encourages us to challenge boundaries imposed on us by society. By understanding how our own personal experiences shape our perceptions of the world around us, we can redefine conventional notions of reality and meaning-making.
What philosophical insights emerge from queer engagements with mortality, finitude, and existential meaning-making?
Queer engagement with death, limited time, and meaning-finding offers various philosophical lessons. First, the recognition of these concepts is often rooted in personal experiences that can be difficult for some people to process. Queer individuals may face discrimination or stigma related to their sexuality or gender identity, which can create a heightened sense of vulnerability and urgency about living authentically before dying prematurely.