Re: transgression again

John,

Sorry but maybe I'm missing a fundamental point here but the question of
transgression can't simply be reduced to the identification of a limit and
the hypothetical posing of ways of transgressing that limit. For example,

>(A) Limit: Women are (ideally) perfectly proportioned sexual objects who
>nevertheless find their sexuality constrained and shaped by the fashion
>industry.
>
>Transgression: Burning bras at the Miss America pageant

No, I say women are not to burn their bras. Women are to stay at home, be
good little wifes etc.

But I am guilty of transgressing your attempt to burn your bra. how are to
mediate this conflict? On what sort of ethical basis are we to proceed?
Knowing the limit and the transgression merely tells us that about which we
are in conflict. This we know. But even worse, if you continue to burn your
bras, your are guilty of transgressing my wish limit of wanting you to stop
this practice.

The problems proliferate when one moves from this example, which is not
trivial, to one such as infantcide. Here the question of a
limit/transgression dialectic comes up against the rock of 'why should we
care about babies being killed?'

Knowing, that ethical and moral problems come about because people have one
set of limits and others others, which may or may not transgress the limits
of the others, is as you say "trivial but true".


"the kind of being I want to be has a
>lot to do with the kinds of play of limit-transgression I engage in. Thus
>be careful which ones you choose!"

But how do you choose, and how do "we" know that one choice is to be
preferred to another? Moreover, this seems to be an overly individualist
approach and negelects the way your choices are socially embedded and
effective. That is my existence may affect your choices and your choices may
affect me, and I may have a different criteria for choosing.

Thanks,>
>
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Colin Wight
Department of International Politics
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Wales
SY23 3DA

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Folow-ups
  • Re: transgression again
    • From: John Ransom
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