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Non-Normative Behavior and the Virtue of Rebelliousness

For many victims, life under oppression involves participating in what philosophers have called “non-normative behavior”, or behavior that fails to comply with oppressive norms. Current discussions of the value of such actions tend to emphasize the benefits they have for other victims of oppression. I argue that while benefiting others may be a noble goal, there are victims for whom such altruistic reasons do not apply. For all that, non-normative behavior may still be ethically worthwhile. I highlight another source of value for such actions, stemming from victims' personal projects and relationships.  Finally, I argue that ethical discussions of non-normative behavior, both its personal value and its value for others, suggest that having a disposition to engage in non-normative actions (at the right time, towards the right things, for the right reasons) – a trait which I call rebelliousness – is a virtue under oppressive conditions.