Non-Binary Temporality and Life Planning
Non-binary temporality is an emerging concept that challenges traditional ways of thinking about time and its relationship to our lives. It suggests that there are multiple dimensions of time beyond linear chronology, which can be experienced differently by individuals depending on their cultural background, personal experiences, and current context. This new approach to time has significant implications for how we plan for the future and make decisions about our goals and values.
In conventional frameworks, such as those promoted by the West, time is viewed as linear and progressive, moving from past to present to future. We are encouraged to set long-term objectives, envision our futures, and take steps towards them incrementally.
Non-binary temporality recognizes that time can also be cyclical, recursive, multidirectional, or even simultaneous.
Some cultures view time as circular, where events recur in cycles and nothing truly ends. Others see time as being both linear and cyclical, with certain patterns repeating throughout history. Some people may experience time as simultaneous, where all moments exist simultaneously and cannot be distinguished.
These alternative conceptions of time challenge the notion of planning ahead and setting goals based on a linear progression of time. They suggest that our lives are not necessarily predictable or controlled by external forces, but rather co-created through our interactions with others and our environments. As such, they invite us to reconsider the role of anticipation and anticipatory ethics in shaping our choices and actions.
Non-Binary Temporality and Goal-Setting
Non-binary temporality also challenges traditional ways of thinking about goal-setting. In many Western societies, goal-setting involves breaking down larger aspirations into smaller, achievable steps and taking action to achieve them over a specified period of time. This approach assumes that there is an objective path to success and that we have control over our own destinies.
Non-binary temporality suggests that our goals may shift or change as we experience new perspectives, relationships, or experiences. We might find ourselves revising our plans midway through pursuing a goal or abandoning it altogether due to unexpected circumstances or personal growth.
The fluidity of non-binary temporality can lead us to question the value and purpose of our goals and their place within a broader context. It encourages us to reflect on whether our ambitions align with our values, how they fit within our social and environmental realities, and whether they promote the wellbeing of those around us. By embracing this perspective, we may discover more meaningful and fulfilling paths to success beyond what conventional frameworks would allow for.
Non-Binary Temporality and Anticipatory Ethics
Non-binary temporality challenges anticipatory ethics, which considers the potential consequences of our decisions and behaviors in advance. Traditional approaches prioritize long-term benefits over short-term gratification, focusing on predicting outcomes and minimizing risks. Yet, non-binary temporality highlights the importance of living in the present moment and being open to unpredictability. It invites us to consider the impact of our choices not only on ourselves but also on others and future generations.
We might choose to reduce carbon emissions today for the benefit of future generations, even though its immediate effects may be less apparent. Or, we might commit to volunteering at a local shelter because of its short-term benefits for the community while simultaneously building connections that could last a lifetime. In both cases, we are recognizing the interconnectedness of time and acting responsibly towards a complex web of relationships.
Non-binary temporality offers a powerful lens through which to rethink life planning, goal-setting, and anticipatory ethics. Its recognition of multiple temporal dimensions can help us embrace uncertainty, recognize complexity, and cultivate deeper relationships with ourselves and others.
It requires us to challenge traditional frameworks that promote linearity, control, and predictability as the ultimate measure of success. By embracing this perspective, we can create more meaningful lives aligned with our values and the world around us.
How does non-binary temporality destabilize conventional frameworks of life planning, goal-setting, and anticipatory ethics?
The idea that time is not linear but rather cyclical has been around for centuries and has been embraced by many cultures throughout history. Non-binary temporality challenges this concept because it suggests that time exists on multiple planes and can be experienced in different ways at once. This destabilizes traditional frameworks for planning and setting goals because it forces us to rethink our understanding of how we relate to time and how we make decisions about the future.