Trans Philosophy by Perry Zurn and Andrea J. Pitts is a pivotal work that expands the boundaries of philosophical inquiry by centering transgender experiences, perspectives, and methodologies. This edited volume brings together essays that interrogate foundational questions of identity, embodiment, and epistemology through the lens of trans studies. Zurn and Pitts, both renowned scholars in the fields of critical theory and gender studies, curate a collection that challenges traditional philosophical frameworks while offering new ways of thinking about being, knowing, and becoming.

At its core, Trans Philosophy aims to disrupt static understandings of gender and ontology, proposing instead that trans identities and experiences hold profound philosophical significance. Contributors engage with a range of topics, from the ethics of transitioning and the metaphysics of gender to the intersections of race, class, and disability in trans lives. These essays highlight how trans thought resists binary logics, instead embracing fluidity, multiplicity, and transformation as central modes of existence.

One of the book’s key interventions lies in its critique of mainstream philosophy’s historical neglect of trans perspectives. Zurn and Pitts argue that trans philosophy not only critiques exclusionary practices but also enriches philosophical discourse by offering alternative frameworks for understanding identity, community, and justice. The work draws on diverse traditions, including phenomenology, decolonial theory, and queer theory, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of trans thought.

By centering the lived experiences of trans individuals and emphasizing the political stakes of their embodiment, Trans Philosophy serves as both a critical and generative project. It is a call to philosophers to engage with the radical potential of trans lives and to rethink established norms and practices. This groundbreaking volume redefines the scope of philosophy, positioning trans thought as an indispensable site for envisioning a more inclusive and equitable intellectual and social world.

3.5 stars.
Very interesting book! Not going to lie, I thought I was going to be a bit too uneducated for this book and I wouldn't end up understanding lie half of it, but it ended up being fine. Very glad I was able to read and understand this book!
Highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject!

As a masters student studying Gender and Sexuality on top of my own experiences as a Nonbinary person, I truly enjoyed and devoured this book.

I have only read some philosophy in college but I managed to understand most of it and will be buying my 0wn physical copy to use for my studies and essays.

Thank you to the publishers for providing me an Arc of this book!

[Digital copy provided by NetGalley]

Really interesting collection! As with most essay collections, I didn't end up liking every essay, but a good amount resonated strongly. I read this for an academic project and only 6/14 essays ended up relevant for it. There were a few that went completely over my head as someone not deeply entrenched in philosophy as an academic discipline but I still think there's a lot of food for thought here. My favourite chapter was "Laughing at Trans Women: A Theory of Transmisogyny" by fair, it alone is worth picking up this collection.

In a word - fantastic. I am, admittedly, a layman in terms of my relation to philosophy, but as a trans person in the US in 2024, the subject matter is quite close to my heart and head. There were a couple of essays that were over my head. Still, the majority of the collection was accessible enough that I think most people who are invested in the movement for the rights of trans* people can understand the points being made. There were absolutely a few essays that absolutely changed my way of thinking about what it means to be trans* and how we relate to our bodies and external pressures/opinions/policies. I would highly recommend this to folks who fall under the trans* umbrella as well as allies and anyone interested in some of the underlying theory behind what trans* folks are facing in the current political/social environment.