From 1b1fca990587cacfcd4dc9f3b69d316f7228db2b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "M. Taylor Saotome-Westlake" Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:06:09 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] start draft on two-type approximation --- ...mation-for-a-more-detailed-causal-model.md | 36 ++++++++ content/images/transition_dag.svg | 86 +++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 122 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/drafts/the-two-type-taxonomy-is-a-useful-approximation-for-a-more-detailed-causal-model.md create mode 100644 content/images/transition_dag.svg diff --git a/content/drafts/the-two-type-taxonomy-is-a-useful-approximation-for-a-more-detailed-causal-model.md b/content/drafts/the-two-type-taxonomy-is-a-useful-approximation-for-a-more-detailed-causal-model.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..13fd243 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/drafts/the-two-type-taxonomy-is-a-useful-approximation-for-a-more-detailed-causal-model.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +Title: The Two-Type Taxonomy Is a Useful Approximation for a More Detailed Causal Model +Date: 2022-03-30 05:00 +Category: commentary +Tags: causality, two-type taxonomy +Status: draft + +A lot of people tend to balk when first hearing about the [two-type taxonomy of male-to-female transsexualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanchard's_transsexualism_typology). What, one scoffs, you're saying _all_ trans women are exactly one of these two things? It seems at once both too simple and too specific. + +In some ways, it's a fair complaint! Psychology is _complicated_; every human is their own unique snowflake. But it would be impossible to navigate the world using the "every human is their own unique _maximum-entropy_ snowflake" theory. + +categories, clusters, diagnoses, taxons + +No one matches any particular clinical-profile stereotype _exactly_, but [the world makes more sense when you have language for theoretical abstractions](https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/ontology-of-psychiatric-conditions) like ["comas"](https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/08/11/does-the-glasgow-coma-scale-exist-do-comas/) or "depression" or "bipolar disorder"—or "autogynephilia". + + +![transition causal graph](/images/transition_dag.svg) + +Let me explain. + + +https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causal_graph + +[people tend to balk at the two-type taxonomy: are you really saying there are two and only two types?!] + +[the taxonomy can emerge as a shorthand for a complicated causal graph] + +[What are the reasons transitioning could possibly make sense to someone?—] + +[1. actually being really feminine] + +[2. beautiful pure self-identity thing related to AGP] + +[3. cultural/ideological factors] + + +_(Thanks to the immortal [Tailcalled](https://surveyanon.wordpress.com/) for discussion.)_ diff --git a/content/images/transition_dag.svg b/content/images/transition_dag.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d660163 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/images/transition_dag.svg @@ -0,0 +1,86 @@ + + + + + + +G + + + +sexual orientation + +sexual orientation + + + +femininity + +femininity + + + +sexual orientation->femininity + + + + + +autogynephilia + +autogynephilia + + + +sexual orientation->autogynephilia + + + + + +transition + +transition + + + +femininity->transition + + + + + +erotic target\nlocation error + +erotic target +location error + + + +erotic target\nlocation error->autogynephilia + + + + + +autogynephilia->transition + + + + + +cultural factors + +cultural factors + + + +cultural factors->transition + + + + + -- 2.17.1