Epistemological and ethical debates on human
nature date back to the dawn of philosophy
itself. Throughout the nineteenth century
however, increasing emphasis was laid
on sex as the most natural, yet also the most
mysterious thing about us. The notion that
the truth about sex and the sexed body would
resolve the ancient question of identity, divided
society and its researchers along political
lines. Once sex emanated as a fully-fledged
part of general debate, (identity-based) sex
politics polarized with adapted evolutionist
rhetoric gaining ascendancy in liberal opinion
and common beliefs. In the academic arena
the disagreements between essentialists and
social constructionists – especially on the
‘nature’ of homosexuality – have spawned
a considerable body of militant literature
in recent years. When trying to surmount
the sometimes one-sided politicization of
(homo)sexuality, only a critical approach
of both traditions can prove successful. By
queering our own assertions on the social
functioning and finality of (knowledge of) sex,
we might put an end to what seems to have
become an outworn standoff.
