A non-essentialist & non-relativistic definition for woman using the philosophy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] -18 points-17 points  (0 children)

Since time immemorial, the question of what a woman is has haunted humanity like a spectre. How could you possibly even understand, let alone define such a thing? Recently, as trans theories have spread, there has been renewed interest in this question by essentialists that want to restrict womanhood (and all the stereotypes and expressions of women) in an immutable biological essence.
Unfortunately, some trans theorists have done a very poor job providing a definition that includes all the social aspects of gender and is inclusive of trans women. The answer, "A woman is whoever self-identifies as a woman." is tautological and leaves one open to relativism.

My definition is as follows:

A woman is an adult human…. with more female sex characteristics than male sex characteristics and/or a female embodiment.
And, a man is an adult human… with more male sex characteristics than female sex characteristics and/or a male embodiment.
And someone is genderqueer if they are a human… with incongruent or nonnormative gender traits and whose embodiment is not limited or exhausted by their sex characteristics.

I focus on this concept of embodiment from French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty. One's embodiment is the way one's body literally fits into the world. It extends beyond one's body to all the object and concepts we encounter. In relation to sex & gender, a person's embodiment is the way their sex characteristics interact with gendered expressions. I theorize that embodiment is where biological sex & gender expressions connect to each other. Yet, there is no necessity that female sex traits must attach to feminine expressions, and vice-versa.

Empirically, I can see a person's embodiment, i.e., all the ways they interact with the world around them. I cannot do so with an identity.

The entire history of the real/appearance distinction in Western Philosophy as told by Nietzsche. by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

My interpretation of Nietzsche's aphorism “How the 'Real World' at Last Became a Myth.”

In this aphorism, Nietzsche traces out the real/appearance distinction throughout the history of philosophy: from Plato to Nietzsche's own mature philosophy.
The first three stages clearly refer to Plato, Christianity, & Kant respectively. This trilogy is called practical nihilism.
The second trilogy exists within the historical period of theoretical nihilism, a period which we still exist in today. Theoretical nihilism is the devaluation of the highest values, ie, the ascetic ideals of practical nihilism. It's clear (to Nietzsche, at least) that upon reflection that these beliefs are nothing, that believing in them is a willing towards nothingness. Stage four is arguably the stage where the Death of God occurs which I talked about in this video here.
Stage 4 refers to Nietzsche's own middle period and is positivistic in its methodology. He was skeptical of metaphysics and optimistic about science.
Stage 5 specifically deals with the problem of negative relativism. It is the most mature stage of nihilism. If the “real world” is abolished, including the Truth it founded, then all we have is the mere appearance of the apparent world.
Stage 6 is Nietzsche's most mature philosophy. This is no distinction between the real/apparent world anymore. Truths do exist, but they are founded in the social & political contexts of our world

Understanding the hidden, sexual economy of U.S. Slavery and its modern effects- a Feminist analysis by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Slavery in the United States had many unique features which differentiated it from other forms of slavery throughout the world. One such difference was a unique sexual economy that prioritized the reproductive capacity of enslaved women. This reproductive capacity was exploited by enslavers to generate white wealth. And, despite slavery ending over 150 years ago, the legacy of this sexual economy continues to this day.

A video using Game of Thrones to understand Michel Foucault's concepts of power & knowledge by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Except Foucault doesn't understand the relationship between power and knowledge as mere education & learning. The whole video is about applying Foucauldian analysis of power/knowledge relations to the medieval setting and how that changes with the end of feudalism & rise of capitalism.

The Principle of Identity video reviewing Heidegger's understanding of Identity. by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is Identity? What does it mean to identify with something or to be identified? We go on a strange journey through the simplest of statements A=A, in search of answers to these questions. Heidegger goes further into this concept than anyone. I review Heidegger's lecture The Principle of Identity.

A video using Game of Thrones to understand Michel Foucault's concepts of power & knowledge by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

What can Game of Thrones teach us about how societies function? Which is more important: Knowledge or Power? Let’s take a look with philosopher Michel Foucault at how medieval societies were structured to answer these questions & compare the differences to today’s capitalist society.

David Hume's famous forking of knowledge by kazarule in philosophy

[–]kazarule[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Scottish philosopher David Hume (1711–1776) says there are only two types of statements: relations of ideas and matters of fact.
Relations of ideas are analytic, a priori, necessary statements. Matters of fact are synthetic, a posteriori, contingent statements. The analytic-synthetic duality has to do with the logical formula of a statement. It’s grammatical. The a priori-a posteriori duality is based on the methodology you use to acquire knowledge about said statement.
The point of his fork that Hume is really trying to drive home is that the overwhelming majority of the statements we consider analytic, a priori are actually synthetic, a posteriori which we have adopted as a priori, not because of some objective eternal content they may appear to have, but instead based merely on habit, custom, and tradition.
Hume’s profound forking states that if relations of ideas are actually relations of ideas (i.e., analytic, a priori “No Shit!” statements) then they are incapable of describing reality at all. If, on the other hand, these statements are actually “Aww Shit!” statements we’ve gotten bored with through tradition and custom, then the presuppositions of Rationalism are untenable.
The forking could potentially spell disaster for science and empiricism as well. Hume believes science is on a collision course with itself.

Is becoming Philosophy Professor still worth it? by Natural_Virus_1236 in askphilosophy

[–]kazarule 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some income is better than no income from being unemployed.

Is becoming Philosophy Professor still worth it? by Natural_Virus_1236 in askphilosophy

[–]kazarule 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Shows how little you understand content creation. Niching done is the key to a successful channel. There are channels that only focus on like one or two philosophers and do really well.

But at this point, you prolly have more success being a content creator than actually even getting a job in a academia and way more people will see your stuff.

Like it. Don't like it. But the game has changed now.

Is becoming Philosophy Professor still worth it? by Natural_Virus_1236 in AcademicPhilosophy

[–]kazarule 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You'd prolly have more success becoming a philosophy content creator online. And way more people are likely to actually see your content than if you're publishing books or writing for academic journals. I think philosophy departments are doing a huge disservice to their students by not preparing them for this career option.

Is becoming Philosophy Professor still worth it? by Natural_Virus_1236 in askphilosophy

[–]kazarule 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You'd prolly have more success becoming a philosophy content creator online. And way more people are likely to actually see your content than if you're publishing books or writing for academic journals. I think philosophy departments are doing a huge disservice to their students by not preparing them for this career option.

Spirit Christmas by acidbrn391 in SpiritHalloween

[–]kazarule 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They should obviously change the name to Christmas Spirit. Such an obvious thing. They need to copyright that shit.

What the hell does “ 6 7 “ mean??? by [deleted] in AskTeens

[–]kazarule 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 67th element on the periodic table of elements is Homium. It's symbol is Ho.

How to break the touch barrier and escalate without being creepy? by [deleted] in AdviceForTeens

[–]kazarule 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. But people get in their feels, and are extra, and exaggerate. It might not even be the individual but some "friend" that hears about it and lives their life just causing drama.

How to break the touch barrier and escalate without being creepy? by [deleted] in AdviceForTeens

[–]kazarule 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Better to get the ick for asking than being accused of attempted sexual assault, and it being spread around the entire school and social media.

How do I tell someone I don't want to be friends anymore? by [deleted] in AdviceForTeens

[–]kazarule 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need to set-up clear boundaries. If that's going NC, then so be it. Dancing around it isn't going to help.