Nico Orlandi: “It’s about the Fu**ing: Queerness as a Radical Political Notion”

Research Talk in Philosophy: Nico Orlandi, “It’s about the Fu**ing: Queerness as a Radical Political Notion”

The Institute of Philosophy hosts Nico Orlandi for a research talk on May 22nd, at 4-5:30pm, in Lögberg, room 201 (L201), University of Iceland. The talk is entitled “It’s about the Fu**ing: Queerness as a Radical Political Notion” and will be in English.

Abstract

The term “queer” is often used overly promiscuously in the global north to refer to any type of counterculture. This understanding of the term “queer” is problematically trivializing. If queerness is robbed of its specifically subversive sexual aspects, it fails to recognize the struggle of communities formed in the face of ongoing sexual oppression. A primary function of the term “queer” is to recognize identities that are marginalized because of the subversion of the (white) heteropatriarchy. Accordingly, we propose to understand being queer as centrally about subverting (white) patriarchal gender norms that pertain specifically to sexual desire and behavior. Some countercultures do not subvert norms of this kind at all. The focus on sexuality is of special importance. Patriarchal norms dictate the presence of a (racialized) hierarchy based on biological sex where cis (white) men’s interests, and the preservation of their power, are of paramount importance. Being queer means subverting this status quo.

A short biography of the speaker

Nico Orlandi is Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Santa Cruz, specializing in philosophy of mind and cognitive science. Their research bridges the history of philosophy with contemporary work in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and computer science. They are currently investigating the nature and acquisition of concepts, with a particular emphasis on social categories. Orlandi also works in epistemology and aesthetics, among other things, and they hold an affiliation with UCSC’s Feminist Studies department.