The transgender experience and the limits of physiological continuity theories
Samuel Kahn
Croatian Journal of Philosophy July 8, 2026 DOI: 10.52685/cjp.26.77.5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Transgender Personal identity Framing construction Face sociological concept Identity music Gender identity Epistemology Contemporary philosophy |
| Key points | Argues that two alternative approaches can resolve the tension between physiological continuity theories of personal identity and a prominent framing of transgender experience. |
Abstract
In this paper I want to address an issue at the intersection of the philosophy of personal identity and the philosophy of transgender identity: the fact that, on one influential way of framing the transgender experience, it is incompatible with, and therefore constitutes a challenge for, physiological continuity theories of personal identity. To see this, I begin by outlining the relevant part of physiological continuity theories. Then I turn to the relevant thesis about the transgender experience. After explaining why these are in tension, I conclude with two alternate ways of moving forward, arguing that, although both approaches face challenges, either suffices to avoid this tension.