The concept of temporal identity refers to how time impacts our sense of who we are and the changes that occur throughout our lives. Transgender individuals often have a unique relationship with time because they experience both their past life as the person assigned to them at birth, as well as their present life as the gender with which they identify. This creates a complex dynamic where there is both continuity between these identities, but also significant discontinuity as well. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle have traditionally viewed identity as something static and unchanging, so this poses challenges for their models of authentic selfhood and transformation.
Contemporary philosophers like Judith Butler have argued for more fluid and non-essentialist views of identity that can accommodate transgender experiences better. In this article, I will explore how temporality complicates traditional philosophical models of continuity, transformation, and authentic selfhood in relation to trans identity.
Continuity is an important concept when it comes to understanding ourselves and others. We tend to think of ourselves as consistent beings whose personalities remain relatively stable over time. But transgender individuals challenge this idea by experiencing both their past and present identities simultaneously.
Someone might have always identified as male until they transitioned to female, but now must negotiate being both masculine and feminine in different contexts. This creates a tension between the two selves that may feel contradictory or even impossible to reconcile. As a result, some transgender people find it difficult to maintain a strong sense of coherence within themselves.
Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle emphasized the importance of unity and consistency in identity. They believed that our true nature was revealed through reason and logic, and that we should strive towards a state of harmony and orderliness. In contrast, postmodern philosophers like Butler argue for a view of identity that recognizes its constructedness and complexity. She argues that gender is not fixed or essential, but rather performative - meaning it is enacted through social norms and expectations. This perspective allows for greater flexibility and fluidity in how we understand ourselves, which is especially helpful for transgender individuals who experience multiple identities at once.
Trans identity also challenges traditional views of transformation. Traditionally, transformational processes were seen as linear and progressive, with clear stages and outcomes.
For transgender individuals, there are often many uncertainties and ambiguities involved in the process of transitioning. Transition can involve physical changes such as hormones, surgeries, and clothing choices, but it also involves psychological shifts that may be more difficult to quantify.
Some individuals choose not to physically transition at all, yet still identify as transgender. These examples show that transformation cannot always be neatly mapped onto pre-existing models.
Authentic selfhood has been an important concept in Western philosophy since ancient times. It refers to the idea that we have a core essence or truth about ourselves that is consistent over time. But this model becomes problematic when applied to transgender individuals whose past lives conflict with their current sense of self.
Someone might have identified as male for decades before coming out as transfeminine. How does one reconcile those two selves? Contemporary philosophers like Martha Nussbaum have proposed alternative models of authenticity that emphasize embodiment and relationality instead of internal consistency. This approach recognizes the complexities of human experience and allows for more nuanced understandings of identity.
Temporality complicates traditional philosophical models of continuity, transformation, and authentic selfhood by highlighting how our identities can shift and change over time. While these models offer useful insights into our experiences, they must be adapted to accommodate diverse identities like transgenderism. By recognizing the fluidity and complexity of gender, postmodern philosophers have opened up new possibilities for understanding ourselves and others.
How does the temporality of trans identity complicate traditional philosophical models of continuity, transformation, and authentic selfhood?
Identity is an inherently complex phenomenon that involves a variety of factors such as gender, race, culture, religion, ethnicity, age, etc. , which may change over time due to various reasons like socialization, education, work experience, relationships, migration, trauma, etc.