Social ontology applied to the closet

Andler's objection to the conferralism of Ásta

Abstract

In analytical philosophy, specifically in feminist metaphysics, issues regarding the definition and foundation of social categories are subject to debate. Within this subfield, a debate has emerged between theories of social position and theories based on identity. Theories of social position understand social categories through limitations and freedoms that are associated with an individual through a particular category. On the other hand, identity-based theories focus on subjective experiences to answer this question. This paper focuses on a critique of the social position theory developed by Ásta. The critique points out an incapacity in categorizing queer sexual identities of individuals in the closet, which implies their systematic exclusion from queer spaces. According to Ásta's theory, social categories are conceived as being variable depending on the context in which their conferral occurs. However, according to Andler, this way of conceiving social categories leads to the exclusion of individuals with queer sexual identities, because it presupposes that the individual must present a certain sexual orientation for the conferment of a specific sexual identity. But, as this paper explains, Ásta's theory does not posit the relationship between sexual orientation and sexual identity as an inherent part of the conferment process.