What insights into relational ethics and belonging emerge from queer philosophical approaches to selfhood?
The concept of "relational" is often considered central to understandings of identity within contemporary queer philosophy. In particular, it has been argued that queer theory's focus on relationships and the ways in which they shape subjectivity can provide valuable insights into broader issues of social justice and ethics. This essay will explore how relational thinking can contribute to discussions of both personal and collective wellbeing, drawing on key ideas from feminist and decolonial perspectives to highlight the importance of recognizing multiple forms of belonging.
Some background on relational approaches to identity is needed. In their book The Queer Art of Failure, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick and Adam Frankel define queerness as "the open mesh of possibilities, gaps, overlaps, dissonances, and resonances, lapses, extensionals, elisions, omissions, glitches, castings-aside, castings-out. that form ghosts in the machinery of 'sexual identity.'" For them, this means rejecting a binary model of sexuality based on either/or categories such as straight or gay and instead embracing fluid identities that challenge these binaries. Relational ethics builds on this notion by focusing on how we relate to others rather than simply who we are. It emphasizes interdependence and mutual recognition, and encourages us to see ourselves as part of larger communities and networks.
This approach challenges traditional notions of selfhood, which often prioritize individualism and autonomy above all else. Instead, it suggests that our sense of self is shaped by the relationships we have with others, including family members, friends, romantic partners, coworkers, and society at large. As Audre Lorde wrote in Sister Outsider, "Our visions begin with our desires for and connections with one another." By acknowledging our dependence on others, we can also recognize the ways in which we are implicated in systems of oppression.
If I am privileged because of my race and gender, then I must consider how my identity relates to those around me who may be marginalized due to their own identities. This understanding can lead to a more nuanced and complex view of justice, whereby people's wellbeing is not reduced to an individual pursuit but considered within broader social contexts.
While relational thinking offers valuable insights into personal ethics, it also has important implications for collective belonging. One way to think about this is through decolonial perspectives on identity, which emphasize the importance of recognizing multiple forms of belonging beyond the nation-state. As Maria Lugones argues, "Belongings belong in multiplicities." She suggests that we should move away from thinking of ourselves as individuals or members of specific groups (such as white men) and instead recognize the many different dimensions of our identities, such as class, gender, race, and sexuality. In this way, we can see ourselves as part of overlapping communities rather than isolated individuals.
This approach challenges the idea that there is only one correct way to belong or identify. Instead, it encourages us to embrace complexity and diversity, and recognizes that everyone has multiple identities that intersect in different ways. It also highlights the importance of respecting these different dimensions of identity by ensuring that all voices are heard and valued equally. This requires listening to others and acknowledging the experiences they bring to the table, even when they differ from our own.
Relational approaches to selfhood offer valuable insights into both personal and collective ethics. By recognizing how our identities relate to those around us, we can cultivate a sense of interdependence and mutual recognition that prioritizes justice and wellbeing. We must continue to explore these ideas further, however, and ensure that they do not reproduce dominant power structures. Only then will we be able to create truly inclusive societies where everyone feels a sense of belonging.