And when someone like Ben Shapiro militates against the limited but still existent subjectivity inherent to something like gender, he claims he does so in the name of biology and to try to establish some hard truths. I think he is at least partially honest when he states his motivations, but he must know that gender is at least partially subjective; we know there is more to being a man than “lifts heavy things” or “has broad shoulders”, such as strong paternal instincts. — ToothyMaw
Should men who identify as women be allowed to use women's restrooms? Should male fighters get to smash female fighters because they identify as women? — ToothyMaw
This is why your wording is ambiguous. A biological male who identifies as a women is a transgender woman, as I understand the word “identify”. What do you mean by the word? — Michael
We should all respect people’s identities even if we are made uncomfortable by them, and this issue is almost totally unrelated to trans women in sports. If you cannot wrap your head around that you are being stupid - not bigoted, but rather stupid. — ToothyMaw
I don’t think so. I can’t think of any such characteristics in my case. I just am a man. — Michael
That is, there is something characteristically a man about you, which might not be the same characteristic I have that makes me a man, but some characteristic must be placing you in the man category. — Hanover
applies to being a man (and woman). I don't know off the top of my head what other things are like this. Maybe being a supporter of Manchester United? — Michael
So in terms of meaning being use, I rely upon what usage to know if you're a man? That you tell me you are? Is that the only public usage manifestation? — Hanover
That strikes me as essentialism. To be a man, it is essential that one believe they are — Hanover
A usage theory requires variability of characteristics and a public meaning, not just an internal state. — Hanover
Isn't a person's self identity largely thrust upon them by society? — sime
For society to automatically respect self-identification seems morally problematic, because it would mean for society to automatically reinforce the social treatment a person receives, however dysfunctional and situational. — sime
Do you have specific examples of why it is morally problematic to respect gender self-identity? — Michael
suppose if you want to say that the essential characteristic of being a man is identifying as a man then it's a kind of essentialism, but I was thinking of essentialism as involving a little more than that when I asserted my rejection of it. — Michael
Why gender, as opposed to height or bodyweight or muscle mass index or blood testosterone levels? — Banno
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