Moral philosophy is concerned with understanding and determining what constitutes right and wrong behavior, and with providing guidance for ethical decision making. Traditionally, this has involved thinking about how individuals can live well and flourish through various virtues such as courage, justice, wisdom, temperance, and compassion.
Recent work in feminist, race, disability, and queer studies suggests that these traditional conceptions of morality fail to account for important aspects of human experience, especially relational interdependence. This essay explores how queer identities can teach moral philosophy to value relational interdependence over self-containment.
Queer identities are those that challenge binary categories of gender and sexuality, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and asexual. These identities involve rejection of normative expectations around sex, gender, and relationships, and instead embrace fluidity, ambiguity, and diversity. Queer theory argues that queer identities provide a counter-narrative to dominant discourses of heterosexuality, cisnormativity, and monogamy, which privilege certain forms of embodiment and erotic desire over others. By critiquing and resisting these dominant narratives, queer identities offer an alternative perspective on the nature of moral agency and responsibility.
Queer identities often reject rigid definitions of gender roles and expectations around romantic partnerships. Instead, they may choose to identify as polyamorous or engage in open relationships, challenging the idea that intimacy must be exclusive and permanent. They also may question the assumption that all people have inherent sexual desires, and that lack of desire should not be stigmatized.
Queer identities may critique the way that mainstream society views certain forms of sexual expression, such as BDSM or kink, as deviant or pathological rather than simply different from the norm.
By valuing multiple forms of intimate relationship and diverse expressions of sexuality, queer identities teach us to think about ethics in terms of mutual care, respect, trust, and communication. This focus on relational interdependence is a valuable addition to traditional conceptions of morality, which tend to emphasize individual autonomy and self-determination. In fact, some scholars argue that this relational approach can help us better understand how we are connected to other humans, nonhuman animals, ecosystems, and even technology.
It's important to note that not all queer identities share the same values or perspectives. Some may prioritize individual freedom over collective solidarity, while others may view relationships as primarily transactional or utilitarian. Moreover, many queer communities continue to reproduce patriarchal, white supremacist, and ableist dynamics. Nevertheless, by bringing attention to the complexities and contradictions of identity, queer theory helps us see the limitations of simplistic moral frameworks based solely on individual behavior. Instead, it encourages us to recognize our interconnectedness with one another and the world around us.
How do queer identities teach moral philosophy to value relational interdependence over self-containment?
Queerness, as an identity category that has been historically marginalized and oppressed by dominant social norms, challenges heteronormative assumptions about sexuality, gender, and relationships. As such, it offers valuable insights into the complexities of human connection and the importance of relational interdependence.