New Books in Critical Theory Talia Mae Bettcher, "Beyond Personhood: An Essay in Trans Philosophy" (U Minnesota Press, 2025)
Apr 20, 2025
Talia Mae Bettcher, a Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Los Angeles, is a leading voice in trans philosophy, gender, and identity. In this discussion, she delves into the intersections of trans oppression with other forms of discrimination like sexism and racism. Bettcher presents her novel theory of interpersonal spatiality, revealing how boundaries can foster intimacy while critiquing traditional gender dynamics. She also addresses the limitations of conventional philosophical frameworks, advocating for a deeper and more inclusive understanding of identity and social relations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bettcher's Trans Philosophy Journey
- Talia Mae Bettcher shared her personal journey of transitioning while studying early modern philosophy and developing trans philosophy as an academic field.
- Her activism, academic work, and personal experiences deeply inform her philosophical contributions on trans identity and oppression.
Beyond Categorical Oppression Models
- Rejecting categorical models of oppression reveals how complex social practices shape transphobia beyond simple identity labels.
- Thinking in terms of structures of violence clarifies how oppression is enacted through overlapping, dynamic systems rather than fixed categories.
Interpersonal Spatiality Explained
- Interpersonal spatiality theory analyzes intimacy and distance as structured norms that enable or restrict social recognition.
- Violating interpersonal boundaries harms recognition; thus, oppressive systems can be critiqued by how they disrupt these spatial relations.