Comments on: Mixed feelings about a transsexual breakthrough http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/ Creative type with a fetish for mildly impossible worlds Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:50:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Benjamin http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Benjamin Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:50:45 +0000 http://benjaminteicher.com/blog/?p=51#comment-16 Yes, we should be of wary using science to justify social policy. Yes, we should be of wary using science to justify social policy.

]]> By: dan http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/comment-page-1/#comment-15 dan Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:57:07 +0000 http://benjaminteicher.com/blog/?p=51#comment-15 As is often the case with scientfic truth, one merely needs to wait for the subsequent issue of the relevant journal for that truth to be undermined. Pluto is a stark example of the way in which self-evidence can be instantaneously overturned by consensus. As is often the case with scientfic truth, one merely needs to wait for the subsequent issue of the relevant journal for that truth to be undermined.

Pluto is a stark example of the way in which self-evidence can be instantaneously overturned by consensus.

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Benjamin Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:02:56 +0000 http://benjaminteicher.com/blog/?p=51#comment-14 Excellent point. And this is why we should remain vigilant against this drift towards an all-embracing scientism. Still, its funny to line up along the side of those who say that such 'deviant' identities are a choice, or learned, and can be unlearned, though we do not really line up on their side. Excellent point. And this is why we should remain vigilant against this drift towards an all-embracing scientism.

Still, its funny to line up along the side of those who say that such ‘deviant’ identities are a choice, or learned, and can be unlearned, though we do not really line up on their side.

]]> By: Andreas http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Andreas Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:43:13 +0000 http://benjaminteicher.com/blog/?p=51#comment-13 Excellent blog entry, Ben. This "breakthrough" is highly reminiscent of the movement within the gay community to assert a genetic basis for homosexuality (witness the popular gay magazine, DNA). The desire to ascribe a scientific basis to "other" identities tends to actually reaffirm the prevailing discourse, since it implies that a non-scientific (eg social, psychological) basis for those identities is disordered, unjustified, or erroneous, and moreover, that the "otherness" need be investigated, scrutinised, and justified in the first place. Perhaps even more damagingly, such scientific ascription can also tend to imply that, where there is no scientific basis, the "disorder" or "error" must be the subject's own "fault," or alternatively, the result of a tragic or regrettable set of personal circumstances. Such implications are to be avoided, as they further de-legitimise the identity itself, and tend deny or obscure the relationship of oppression between the subject position and society generally. Etc etc etc... Excellent blog entry, Ben. This “breakthrough” is highly reminiscent of the movement within the gay community to assert a genetic basis for homosexuality (witness the popular gay magazine, DNA). The desire to ascribe a scientific basis to “other” identities tends to actually reaffirm the prevailing discourse, since it implies that a non-scientific (eg social, psychological) basis for those identities is disordered, unjustified, or erroneous, and moreover, that the “otherness” need be investigated, scrutinised, and justified in the first place. Perhaps even more damagingly, such scientific ascription can also tend to imply that, where there is no scientific basis, the “disorder” or “error” must be the subject’s own “fault,” or alternatively, the result of a tragic or regrettable set of personal circumstances. Such implications are to be avoided, as they further de-legitimise the identity itself, and tend deny or obscure the relationship of oppression between the subject position and society generally. Etc etc etc…

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Benjamin Sat, 13 Dec 2008 10:20:35 +0000 http://benjaminteicher.com/blog/?p=51#comment-12 in an era after god, science has replaced the soul. in an era after god, science has replaced the soul.

]]> By: susanha http://www.benjaminteicher.com/2008/12/mixed-feelings-about-a-transsexual-breakthrough/comment-page-1/#comment-11 susanha Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:17:16 +0000 http://benjaminteicher.com/blog/?p=51#comment-11 This Froth reminds me of the genetic testing that occurred in Tasmania latterly of people identifying as indigenous. It was to determine voting eligibility. This Froth reminds me of the genetic testing that occurred in Tasmania latterly of people identifying as indigenous. It was to determine voting eligibility.

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