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Individuation, Sexuation, Technicity

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stephen Seely

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Abstract

Within the context of questions raised by gender and sexuality studies about the relationship between sex and technics, I develop a theory of sexuation derived from Gilbert Simondon’s philosophy of individuation. First, I provide an overview of Simondon’s philosophy of individuation, from the physical to the collective. In the second section, I turn to the question of sexuality, outlining an ontogenetic account in which sexuation is conceived as a process of both individuation and relation that is fundamental to certain living beings. Then, drawing on Simondon’s theorization of technics in its mediating function between humans and the world, I resituate understandings of the relation between sex and technics. While each section – Individuation, Sexuation, Technicity – argues for the significance of these concepts to feminist and queer theory, overall the essay uses Simondon’s work as a new paradigm for gender and sexuality studies and calls for the invention of a sexuate culture.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Seely S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Theory, Culture & Society

Year: 2020

Volume: 38

Issue: 4

Pages: 23-45

Print publication date: 01/07/2021

Online publication date: 08/12/2020

Acceptance date: 24/09/2020

Date deposited: 14/01/2021

ISSN (print): 0263-2764

ISSN (electronic): 1460-3616

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0263276420967406

DOI: 10.1177/0263276420967406

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