Abstract

“Anatomy/biology is destiny” may be the most taken-for-granted formula to define the relationship between sex and gender. This understanding that is fed by certain premises of psychology, medicine, juridical systems, and religion may be one of thesis that gave rise to joint criticism on the part of feminist thinkers. According to “anatomy/biology is destiny” formula, the “natural” and “innate” sex of one is what determines one’s gender. Starting with Simone de Beauvoir, many feminist thinkers gave arguments against this presupposition. This paper which concentrates on how Judith Butler defines the relationship between sex and gender does not claim to cover all the premises and thoughts of Butler on this topic. The purpose here is to explain the reasons of certain claims that make it possible for Butler to assert that “sex is always already gender;” as well as to open up a space that will allow further contemplating on the relation between sex and gender