The I in We: Studies in the Theory of Recognition 1st (first) Edition by Honneth, Axel published by Polity

by Axel Honneth

In this volume Axel Honneth deepens and develops his highly influential theory of recognition, showing how it enables us both to rethink the concept of justice and to offer a compelling account of the relationship between social reproduction and individual identity formation.Drawing on his reassessment of Hegel’s practical philosophy, Honneth argues that our conception of social justice should be redirected from a preoccupation with the principles of distributing goods to a focus on the measures for creating symmetrical relations of recognition. This theoretical reorientation has far-reaching implications for the theory of justice, as it obliges this theory to engage directly with problems concerning the organization of work and with the ideologies that stabilize relations of domination.In the final part of this volume Honneth shows how the theory of recognition provides a fruitful and illuminating way of exploring the relation between social reproduction and identity formation. Rather than seeing groups as regressive social forms that threaten the autonomy of the individual, Honneth argues that the ‘I’ is dependent on forms of social recognition embodied in groups, since neither self-respect nor self-esteem can be maintained without the supportive experience of practising shared values in the group.This important new book by one of the leading social philosophers of our time will be of great interest to students and scholars in philosophy, sociology, politics and the humanities and social sciences generally.

Genres: Philosophy, Sociology

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Axel Honneth (born July 18, 1949) is a professor of philosophy at both the University of Frankfurt and Columbia University. He is also director of the Institut für Sozialforschung (Institute for Social Research) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Honneth's work focuses on social-political and moral philosophy, especially relations of power, recognition, and respect. One of his core arguments is for the priority of intersubjective relationships of recognition in understanding social relations. This includes non- and mis-recognition as a basis of social and interpersonal conflict. For instance, grievances regarding the distribution of goods in society are ultimately struggles for recognition.

Reviews

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of essays exploring the modern world. Of particular interest to me was the exploration of individualization and dedifferentiation of the individual from 'the crowd'. I think Honneth explores some very important aspects of late capitalism related to the blurring of the work-world and the life-world, and the loss of solidarity (undermining Marx's hope that cooperative activity in the work-world of the proletariat would be the source of its solidarity). Worse, the worker (as an 'entrepreneur of the self' now assumes the blame for its precarious existence.

"Terminologically, in this context one speaks of ‘new’ or ‘flexible’ capitalism. The most important criterion for describing this new capitalism is no longer the ability to efficiently fulfil hierarchically determined parameters within a large enterprise; it is the readiness to show initiative and bring one's own abilities and emotional resources to bear in the service of individualized projects. In this way, the worker becomes an ‘entreployee’ or himself an entrepreneur; no longer induced to participate in capitalist practices by external compulsion or incentives, he is in a sense self-motivated. [...] These contradictions – and this may already be a central paradox of the current period – are of course often no longer even perceived as those of capitalism as such, since subjects have ‘learned’ in their role as entreployees to assume responsibility for their own fate" (p.174).

[Ruben J. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hervorragende Sammlung, nah- und nachvollziehbare Aufsätze, die sehr viel Honneth und etwas Hegel zeigen. Einerseits in der Gesamtheit ein hervorragender Einstieg in das Denken des Autors, andererseits kann man jedes Kapitel für sich genommen gewinnbringend lesen. Mich eher dem zweiten Aspekt zugewandt habend traue ich mir in der Sache kein näheres Urteil zu. Nur so viel sei gesagt: Honneths Projekt, gewissermaßen universaler zu denken als Habermas, ohne in Reißbretthaftigkeit zu verfallen, scheint sehr ambitioniert. Am Ende dominieren doch Themen (Sphären: Recht, Arbeit, Familie), die klar westlich-bundesdeutsch motiviert sind. Der Anerkennung des Werks (und im Werk) soll das keinen Abbruch tun. Sehr lesenswert, insbesondere das in knappen, scharfen Argumenten luzide de- und konstruierende Kapitel „Das Gewebe der Gerechtigkeit“.

[Dr. Derek Woodgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick review. One of the most thought-provoking books I have read in a while. The chapters on Recognition as Ideology (5) and Dissolutions of the Social: The Social Theories of Luc Boltanski and Laurent Thevenot (6) are excellent. The book consistently has stimulating thoughts on reconceptualization of justice in a changing society and the emerging issues surrounding "common good" and community vs. the individual. Good section on the complex social effects of neoliberalism - the good, the bad and the downright ugly.