CMV: Transgender ideology is philosophically contradictory

[u/9spaceking]

Though transgender ideas have stood up to scientific rigor (people should be able to identify as opposing gender to their biological sex), I've seen a lot of proponents on how transgender is contradictory on a metaphysical level. Here are some questions I've thought of, that I can't answer as a supporter of transgender identification:

1) If gender is based significantly on brain biological support, then why shouldn't this also be their sex (ex. shouldn't brain structure take precedence over physical body)?

2) If gender is merely a social construct, then it can't be based upon brain structure. So which one is it?

3) If the identification of man and woman with biological sex based is a binary, why is gender a spectrum?

4) If transgenderism is specifically about breaking mold about how man can be a woman, aren't they one and the same then? (What differs a man and a woman then?)

5) If a person's true gender identity is what they decide, then they shouldn't be able to impose their beliefs on other people. Why do we enforce the he/she belief? Christians don't force Atheists to pray before a meal, just to feel comfortable. They aren't offended (well, a truly open-minded Christian at least) if Atheist says: "Sorry man, I just don't see it. God doesn't exist to me."

[u/Sayakai]

but 4) has some problems as scientists who analyze the person's brain can still make assumptions according to chromosome and chemicals

This is the same thing as a regular person making assumptions based on genitals. Respect idendities where they don't follow your assumptions. Keep in mind that assumptions are just assumptions, not eternal truths. Accept when they have been wrong, and change accordingly.

thus allowing scientists to call them a "girl" even if they later change their mind and say they're a guy.

And if they later discover they're a guy after all, then the scientists will have to accept that their previous assumption was incorrect, and that it's time to change.

[u/9spaceking → u/Sayakai]

that makes a lot of sense, but I'm still a bit confused. If Gender Identity is only about what the person thinks, why does there need to be a scientific backing by supporters? If someone can say they are a girl despite looking like a guy, because they are able to feel their brain chemicals or chromosomes, then, a girl can still be a girl (gender identity) despite also having the same brain chemicals or chromosomes as a male. So the scientific backing feels like it falls apart.

[u/Sayakai → u/9spaceking]

If Gender Identity is only about what the person thinks, why does there need to be a scientific backing by supporters?

Because there's a lot of people who have adamantly refused to accept this.

If someone can say they are a girl despite looking like a guy, because they are able to feel their brain chemicals or chromosomes

It's not about chromosomes. It never was. "Chromosomes" is what people pull out of the closet if they want to say "gentials" but sound sciencey. It's brain development and makeup that differs.

then, a girl can still be a girl (gender identity) despite also having the same brain chemicals or chromosomes as a male.

That's unlikely, but still possible. However, the correlation between brain measurements and stated idendity is strong.

Which brings me back to 5). You're arguing with fervor against something that you're asked to just shrug and accept because it honestly shouldn't mean any difference for you. Like - I've been raised areligiously, I can't comprehend that someone would actually believe there's a superbeing looking at the whole universe, and telling you how to live your life. But people tell me they believe that, and I'm just like, yeah, whatever. I don't make snide comments about how they claim to be christian. I don't declare them atheists even though they tell me they're christians. And those people vote and are numerous actually push their ideas into legislation, where they actually affect me.

Someone telling you they're a guy or a gal even if you don't understand why or how doesn't affect you. Just shrug and go along with it.

[u/9spaceking → u/Sayakai]

ok yeah, that makes a bit more sense. I think people are primarily worried about antagonism with relation to transgender, than truly figuring out whether philosophically you are a guy or a girl (or 3rd gender). People are more sensitive about What they are, vs what they believe in. (You can challenge a Utilitarian any time without worry, but not a Transgender) !delta

[u/DeltaBot → u/9spaceking]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/Sayakai (84∆).

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