Trans experience is an integral part of one's identity, which cannot be ignored or diminished. It can influence every aspect of life including relationships, work, family, community, and even the way they perceive themselves. Trans people face many challenges in their lives, but this does not define them as individuals. They have the ability to create themselves from scratch through various ways like hormone therapy, surgery, clothing, hairstyle, etc. This process allows them to express themselves without any restrictions and live according to what feels comfortable for them. Their decisions should be respected because it is entirely personal and not based on others' expectations.
These choices are often questioned due to social norms that assume moral agents are pre-given rather than becoming. In this context, trans experiences challenge the assumption and prove otherwise.
The traditional notion of morality assumes that human nature is fixed and unchangeable. According to this theory, humans have innate qualities such as goodness, justice, altruism, and other virtues that make up their character. These traits are thought to remain constant throughout their lives and do not change based on circumstances or situations.
Trans people contradict this idea by demonstrating how self-creation is possible. They shape their personality with actions and behaviors that align with their true selves instead of adhering to society's standards.
If someone identifies as male but was born a female, they may choose to wear masculine clothes, use male pronouns, adopt traditionally masculine mannerisms, etc., thereby breaking away from gender stereotypes. Similarly, if someone is assigned a certain gender at birth but feels differently, they can undergo hormonal treatment to look and feel more aligned with their inner identity. The decision is purely personal and cannot be questioned since it reflects who they truly are. This approach shows that ethics can change over time and depends on individual experiences rather than pre-existing assumptions about right and wrong.
How do trans experiences of self-creation challenge the ethical assumption that moral agents are pre-given rather than becoming?
Transgender individuals often face significant challenges when it comes to defining their identity and establishing themselves as legitimate members of society. The traditional view of morality assumes that individuals have a stable sense of self and an inherent understanding of right and wrong, but this does not always hold true for trans people who may feel like they have been living in a false reality for much of their lives.