Rethinking the Play of the World: Neil deGrasse Tyson and Saussure on Understanding “le jeu du monde”
It is therefore the game of the world [le jeu du monde] that must be first thought; before attempting to understand all the forms of play [jeu] in the world. (Derrida, Of Grammatology, 50)
Introduction
In a thought-provoking interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson presented an alternative perspective on categorizing athletes, particularly in the context of transgender athletes competing in women's sports. Instead of adhering to the traditional categorization by biological sex, Tyson suggests a system based on hormone levels, such as testosterone and estrogen. This innovative idea draws an intriguing parallel to Ferdinand de Saussure's departure from traditional linguistic categorizations. Just as Saussure redefined language analysis through the concept of differences and oppositions, Tyson's proposal represents a transformative shift in how we understand and categorize human physiology and performance.
Tyson's Proposal: Hormone Levels Over Biological Sex
During his conversation with Piers Morgan, Neil deGrasse Tyson emphasized the limitations of categorizing athletes strictly by biological sex. He argued that hormone levels, specifically testosterone and estrogen, could also serve as accurate markers for categorizing athletic performance. This approach acknowledges the spectrum of gender expression and seeks to create a fairer system for competition, particularly in sports.
Tyson highlighted that gender and gender expression exist on a continuum rather than being binary. He pointed out that in real life, individuals often express varying degrees of masculinity and femininity, which traditional binary categories fail to capture. By considering hormone levels, we could create a more nuanced way to categorize athletes, respecting their identities while ensuring fair competition.
Saussure's Linguistic Revolution: From Fixed Categories to Differences
Ferdinand de Saussure introduced a novel way of understanding language. Traditionally, language was analyzed through fixed categories such as lexicology, grammar, and phonetics. Saussure, however, proposed that language should be understood as a system of differences and oppositions. In “his” work, Course in General Linguistics, Saussure argued that linguistic signs, phonemes, and grammatical facts could be defined by their differences from other elements in the system, rather than by their inherent properties.
For example, the formation of the plural in German, as in the case of Nacht : Nächte, demonstrates how each term opposed in a grammatical fact is defined by a set of oppositions in the system. This relationship between linguistic unit and grammatical fact illustrates how everything in language boils down to differences, constituting a complex balance of interdependent terms:
In isolation, Nacht and Nächte are nothing: the opposition between them is everything. [CGL] [168]
This perspective also applies to the phonological level. Phonemes are oppositional and negative entities, defined by their difference from other phonemes in the system. Language does not require a concrete quality in sound, an intrinsic distinctive feature, but simply that it is distinguishable, different from the other sounds in the system:
Each language constructs its words out of some fixed number of phonetic units, each one clearly distinct from the others. What characterizes those units is not, as might be thought, the specific positive properties of each; but simply the fact that they cannot be mistaken for one another. Speech sounds are first and foremost entities which are contrastive, relative and negative. [CGL] [164-165]
This concept applies to all levels of language, from phonology to syntax, where the meaning and function of elements are determined by their relational differences.
Parallels Between Tyson's and Saussure's Approaches
The parallels between Tyson's proposal and Saussure's linguistic revolution are striking. Both thinkers challenge traditional, fixed categories in favor of systems that recognize and account for variability and difference. Just as Saussure's concept of language as a system of differences offered a more dynamic and accurate understanding of linguistic elements, Tyson's suggestion to categorize athletes based on hormone levels offers a more flexible and inclusive approach to human categorization. Tyson's proposal can be viewed as a fair solution to the ongoing debate in the field of sports and gender categorization. By shifting the focus from static categories of biological sex to the more fluid and variable measure of hormone levels, Tyson aims to create a fairer and more inclusive system. This approach mirrors Saussure's move away from rigid linguistic categories towards an understanding of language defined by oppositions and differences.
Implications and Future Directions
The implications of Tyson's proposal are profound. Adopting a system based on hormone levels could potentially revolutionize the way we approach gender and competition in sports. It could lead to more equitable and respectful treatment of transgender athletes, acknowledging the complexity of gender identity and expression. However, his proposal still needs to be tested to ensure that no competitors end up having undue advantages over others, as the ultimate goal is to level the playing field for all participants.
Furthermore, this shift could inspire broader applications in other areas where traditional binary categorizations fall short. Just as Saussure's theories have had far-reaching impacts beyond linguistics, Tyson's perspective could influence how we understand and categorize human diversity in various fields, from psychology to medicine.
Three Other Counterintuitive Thinkers That Have Shaken the World
- Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity: Einstein's theories of special and general relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity. Departing from the Newtonian physics that had dominated for centuries, Einstein introduced concepts like the relativity of simultaneity and the warping of spacetime by mass and energy, fundamentally altering our perception of the universe.
- Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection: Darwin's ideas fundamentally changed how we understand biological diversity and the processes driving the development of life on Earth. Moving away from the static view of species as immutable creations, Darwin proposed that species evolve over time through natural selection, where advantageous traits become more common in populations.
- Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis: Freud introduced the concept of the unconscious mind and proposed a new way of understanding human behavior and mental processes. Challenging the Cartesian rationalist view of the human mind, Freud's theories suggested that unconscious desires and childhood experiences significantly shape behavior and personality.
Conclusion
Neil deGrasse Tyson's alternative perspective on categorizing athletes based on hormone levels rather than biological sex represents a transformative shift akin to Ferdinand de Saussure's linguistic revolution. Both thinkers challenge traditional, static categories in favor of dynamic systems defined by differences and variability. This approach not only offers a more nuanced and inclusive understanding but also has the potential to create fairer and more respectful systems in sports and beyond. As we continue to implement these innovative perspectives, we move closer to a more equitable and inclusive society, where individual identities are celebrated rather than constrained by strict norms.
Related Post:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Linguistics: Saussure's Challenge to Ethnocentric Attitudes
https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2024/05/blog-post_22.html
Bibliography
Saussure, Ferdinand de. "Course in General Linguistics." Translated and annotated by Roy Harris. With a new introduction by Roy Harris. Bloomsbury, 2013.
Saussure, Ferdinand de. Cours de linguistique générale. Edited by Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, with the collaboration of Albert Riedlinger. Arbre d’Or, Genève, 2005.
Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Corrected Edition. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997. Copyright © 1974, 1976, 1997 by The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Piers Morgan Uncensored
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