Without grievability, there is no life, or, rather, there is something living that is other than life. Instead, "there is a life that will never have been lived," sustained by no regard, no testimony, and ungrieved when lost. The apprehension of grievability precedes and makes possible the apprehension of precarious life. Grievability precedes and makes possible the apprehension of the living being as living, exposed to non-life from the start.
Judith Butler emphasizes the concept of grievability as essential to the understanding of life itself. Without the capacity to grieve, what exists cannot truly be considered life; instead, it becomes a mere existence devoid of value. Life that is not recognizable or acknowledged is characterized as never having been genuinely lived, indicating that the acknowledgment of loss and the capacity to mourn are fundamental to our understanding of existence.
Butler argues that the ability to grieve fosters a deeper comprehension of what it means to live precariously. Grievability enables us to perceive a living being as genuinely alive, highlighting the inherent vulnerability that accompanies existence. From the outset, life is intertwined with the potential for loss, and recognizing this relationship is crucial for addressing the worth placed on lives that are often overlooked or unvalued.
