Judith Butler

 

 

Judith Butler has the right intuitions about human identity and social construction, but then draws exactly the wrong logical conclusions from these intutions.

She is right to point out that identity is performative. But it no way follows from this that it is incumbent upon us to deconstruct it.

In fact, the opposite is true.  Precisely because identity is a performance, it must be practiced.  Precisely because it is so fragile, it falls on our shoulders to make it stronger.  Precisely because it is not given, it becomes necessary for us to create it, and to preserve it.

The irony is that although Butler, as perhaps the chief living philosopher of Liquefactionism, preaches that we should all be "undone," she practices the opposite of this, in shining glory.  When her philosophy is challenged, does she give up?  Does she admit, "You're right! I am undone!" and melt away into nothing?  No!  What I love best about her, when she is at her best, is when she is debating, fiercely staking out her position and boldly administering smackdowns to anyone who would try to move her.

I love the battle armor that slightly smug smile, all the more confident because it is understated, and does not require any flashy display.

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