Transgender identity is the experience of gender that differs from one's assigned sex at birth. For many people who identify as trans, their bodies do not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. This can be a source of physical and emotional distress, leading to feelings of dysphoria and even self-harm.
There are also those who find beauty in their bodies and embrace their gender identities without feeling uncomfortable about them. In order to understand how trans embodiment destabilizes the Cartesian split between mind and body, we must look at the historical origins of this idea.
The concept of mind-body dualism was developed by René Descartes in the seventeenth century. According to this theory, the mind and body are separate entities, with the mind being immaterial and spiritual while the body is material and physical. The mind controls the body through the pineal gland, which Descartes believed was located in the brain. He argued that the mind could think independently of the body, meaning it did not depend on its physicality for existence. This idea has been widely influential in Western philosophy and medicine, but it has also been criticized for perpetuating patriarchal and colonialist views of the world.
Despite Descartes' claim that the mind does not rely on the body, many philosophers have challenged his view, arguing that the two are inextricably linked.
Feminist philosopher Simone de Beauvoir wrote that "the body is not something apart from myself; it is me." She emphasized the importance of women's experiences and understanding of their own physicality in order to challenge dominant narratives about what constitutes femininity. Similarly, disability studies scholar Susan Wendell argued that disabilities should be seen as part of one's identity rather than an object of pity or cure.
In terms of transgender identity, some argue that the Cartesian split perpetuates a binary understanding of gender, where there are only two options - male or female. Trans embodiment challenges this binary by acknowledging that gender exists outside of these categories. Many trans people do not identify solely with either masculinity or femininity, but rather with multiple genders simultaneously. Some may even reject the gender binary altogether. By destabilizing the dichotomy between mind and body, transgender identities offer new ways of thinking about gender and sexuality.
Transgender identity can also challenge the notion that the mind controls the body. For many trans people, their bodies do not match their mental state, leading to feelings of dysphoria and distress. This suggests that the body cannot simply be controlled by the mind, but rather it is shaped by social and cultural factors as well as biological ones. In other words, the mind and body are interconnected, rather than existing separately.
The idea of mind-body dualism has been used to justify medical treatments for trans people, such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery.
Many critics have argued that this approach treats the body as something separate from the person, rather than recognizing its integral role in identity formation. A more holistic approach to healthcare would recognize the importance of addressing both the physical and psychological needs of trans patients.
Trans embodiment challenges the Cartesian split between mind and body by acknowledging that gender is not limited to two categories and that the body plays an important role in identity formation. It offers a more nuanced view of gender and sexuality that moves beyond binary thinking.
In what ways does trans embodiment destabilize the Cartesian split between mind and body?
The embodiment of being transgender involves redefining one's identity beyond the traditional gender binary and challenging the separation of mind and body that is rooted in Western philosophy. This means that trans people must navigate not only their physical appearance but also their social roles, relationships, and experiences in order to express themselves authentically.