Philosophy has always been concerned with understanding the nature of reality, including its temporal dimension.
Traditional philosophy tends to view time as linear and unidirectional, while non-binary temporalities challenge this assumption. Non-binary temporalities are defined as a plurality of times that may coexist simultaneously or overlap, where different events may occur simultaneously and be experienced differently by each individual. This conception of time challenges the notion of becoming and the idea of potentiality, which are central concepts in existential transformation. In this essay, I will explore how non-binary temporalities can expand philosophical discourses on becoming, potentiality, and existential transformation.
Let's look at becoming. Traditionally, becoming is understood as the process of changing from one state to another, often through external factors like causation.
Non-binary temporalities suggest that there may be multiple states of being that can coexist simultaneously or overlap, making it difficult to identify a clear beginning or end.
If someone experiences both past and present memories concurrently, they may perceive themselves as existing across different moments in time rather than progressing towards a future self. This raises questions about what constitutes becoming and whether it is always driven by external causes or internal processes.
Potentiality is a concept related to possibility and probability. It refers to the capacity for something to happen or become real. Non-binary temporalities complicate this concept because they suggest that possibilities may not be fixed or determined but constantly shifting depending on the individual experience. If an individual can experience different moments in time simultaneously, their perception of reality may change based on which moment they focus on, leading to new possibilities. This suggests that potentiality is not simply an objective property of things but influenced by subjectivity and perspective.
Non-binary temporalities challenge the notion of existential transformation, which refers to changes in identity, values, and beliefs over time. If time is not linear, then individuals may undergo transformations that cannot be traced back to specific events or circumstances. Instead, they may have multiple simultaneous identities or experiences that shape their lives differently. This expands our understanding of existential transformation beyond a simple narrative of personal growth or development and emphasizes the role of subjectivity in shaping who we are.
Non-binary temporalities offer a new way of thinking about time, becoming, potentiality, and existential transformation. By challenging traditional philosophical assumptions about these concepts, they expand our understanding of reality and open up new areas of inquiry. While there are still many unanswered questions about how exactly non-binary temporalities work and their practical implications, their exploration has the potential to transform philosophy and other disciplines that study temporality.
How can non-binary temporalities expand philosophical discourses on becoming, potentiality, and existential transformation?
Non-binary temporalities are an essential aspect of existential transformation, as they allow individuals to explore alternative perspectives on time that challenge traditional notions of linearity and progress. In philosophy, potentiality has often been understood as something that exists only in relation to actuality, but non-binary temporalities suggest that potentiality is always present and can be explored independently of any particular moment in time.