The idea that time flows uniformly from the past to the present and into the future is one of the most pervasive assumptions in Western thought. This assumption, however, has been challenged by thinkers who argue for a more cyclical view of time, particularly in relation to queerness and ethics. In this essay, I will explore how an understanding of non-linear temporalities can help us rethink the notion of moral progress and challenge our cultural preoccupation with a linear conception of history.
Linear models of moral progress tend to privilege certain periods of time as being morally superior to others.
Many people in the West have come to view the Enlightenment era as a high point in human development, while seeing earlier eras as less enlightened or morally advanced.
These assumptions are deeply problematic because they ignore the ways in which different cultures and societies have developed their own unique approaches to ethics. By focusing on a linear model of time, we risk assuming that some forms of ethical thinking are inherently better than others, even if they may be radically different from our own.
Queer temporality, on the other hand, does not privilege any particular period of time as necessarily more moral than another. Instead, it recognizes that different times and places have developed distinct ways of approaching ethics, and that all of these approaches have value. Queer temporality allows us to see how different cultures and societies have constructed their own moral frameworks, and how these frameworks are often shaped by complex interactions between power structures and social norms.
Queer temporality also reveals the limitations of linear models of moral progress. If we believe that history is always moving toward a single goal - such as equality, justice, or freedom - then we run the risk of overlooking important moments of resistance and struggle that occur outside of this narrative.
Indigenous peoples who have long fought for autonomy and sovereignty might seem to be "behind" the rest of society when viewed through a linear lens, but their struggles are nonetheless integral to larger movements for decolonization and self-determination.
An understanding of queer temporality can help us rethink our assumptions about what constitutes ethical behavior and moral progress. Rather than seeing morality as something fixed and unchanging, we should recognize that it is constantly evolving and adapting in response to new circumstances. By embracing a cyclical view of time, we can open ourselves up to new perspectives and insights that challenge our existing beliefs and assumptions.
What does queer temporality reveal about the ethical inadequacy of linear models of moral progress?
The concept of "queer temporality" suggests that time is not experienced in a linear fashion, but rather is characterized by non-linearity, disruption, and unpredictability. This challenges traditional Western conceptions of time as a series of discrete moments moving towards an inevitable end point. The implication for morality is that there may be no single, universal trajectory towards goodness, but instead multiple possible paths that diverge from one another and intersect in complex ways.