SUMMARY
FGT examines gender from two different perspectives embedded in its name: a formalized approach to gender theory and a theory of gender rooted in formal classifications. FGT defines “formal gender” as a systematized abstract classification system separate from biological, physical, social, psychological and legal gender. By using this formal lens, FGT applies diverse definitions of male and female in different contexts, with the goal of reducing confusion and conflict. Inspired by the emergence of a “3G society” (three genders: male, female and neutral), FGT integrates elements of three set logics to formally conceptualize gender with masculine, feminine and neutral values. FGT carefully considers the strengths and weaknesses of essentialism and co-essentialism, and advocates a balanced perspective called the Middle of the Road (MotR) approach. FGT’s framework facilitates substantive dialogue between different MotR positions in gender discourse, ensuring consistency in argumentation while allowing for respectful disagreements. FGT recognizes the nuanced nature of gender classification and advocates ongoing concept development to enhance our understanding of formal gender. The AGTRT is also exploring ways in which FGT can be applied in theoretical sexology (TS).
Formal Gender Theory
in more detail
Formal gender theory (FGT) has two plausible readings, both of which apply: (i) a formal approach to gender theory, and (ii) gender theory based on a notion of formal gender.
As a working hypothesis, we assume that formal gender can take on three values: male, female and neutral. By doing so, you inevitably risk importing the complications and pitfalls of trivalent logic. Any attempt to classify/categorize people into a limited number of classes introduces some of the complications of gender theory.
Formal gender is distinct from other notions of gender, such as: biological gender, physical gender, social gender, psychological gender, legal (legal) gender. We believe that formal gender develops in stages, with each stage forming a new understanding of (formal) gender. These developments are taking place worldwide, albeit in different jurisdictions, in different sequences and at different speeds, and with remarkably different outcomes today.
During our work, we strive to maintain a set of definitions, conventions and ambitions:
- Essentialism is the idea that formal gender is identical to physical gender. Physical gender is a new concept that we are increasingly using within FGT. It includes morphological gender (found by looking at external organs and body parts), as well as various forms of biological gender (e.g., as determined by genetic techniques or through comparison of gonads and gametes). The concept of bodily gender itself moves through phases and stages. We expect that physical gender will correspond to an appropriate definition of biological sex in due course.
- Co-essentialism is the idea that physical gender plays no significant role in determining formal gender;
- Gender-critical views are views that lie strictly between essentialism and co-essentialism, and we consider our work to be gender-critical in this sense.
- We refer to different conceptions of (formal) gender as different versions of gender theory, with gender theory providing a framework with a rich language capable of enabling the proper representation of a range of different conceptions;
- Gender transition is a phenomenon that will continue. Whatever criticism you may have of the specific conventions and processes related to gender transitions in particular jurisdictions, the proper way to confront these difficulties is not by being or becoming trans-exclusive, but rather by improving conventions and processes for gender transition;
- A (woman) man is an adult human being with the (female) male formal gender (where the concepts of man and woman become derived concepts of formal gender, a concept whose meaning evolves over time).
- A MotR(Middle of the Road) approach to formal gender theory strikes a balance between essentialism and co-essentialism. MotR still leaves a wealth of options open.
- The development of stages of (formal) gender can be understood as an outcome of concept engineering. We adapt this now classical idea by speaking of incremental concept engineering (ICE), which removes the hypothesis that work is being done toward the final and definitive form of a notion of formal gender, through some ultimate concept engineering. Rather, we understand concept engineering in gender as a process that will continue for many years to come.
- We believe that androgyny (defined in ABGT as a rather psychological approach to gender issues) deserves a proper place in gender theory and attempt to link androgyny to our various discussions of formal gender theory.
- We find it useful to explore ways in which FGT can be applied in the theoteric sexology(TS), initially especially in the theory of sexual orientation.