Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition is based on human struggle to be recognized.
In ancient times there was a struggle for the recognition of nations or for the rights of the great masses; today, in an in constantly changing society, recognition is sought by small groups or minorities.
- Understanding your theory means understanding the current context.
- We live in a globalized world within hypermodernity.
As Zigmunt Bauman explains, the rigorous social norms that once marked people’s path have become “extinct. “Advances in communications, economics and technology are driving the process.
We wonder about the speed of the world and the role we play. Our time is marked by the technological revolution, the Internet and the cyber world.
The space-time relationship has been distorted with the advancement of communications and human beings are constantly evolving, with a meaning that also changes.
We are immersed in a nomadic trend in which clinging to material does not guarantee success and activities become a ‘network’, but how does that affect us?
Honneth is a German philosopher and sociologist born in 1949. De, was part of the so-called “third generation”. School of Francfort. Il is considered a disciple of J. J. Habermas, whose analysis of the philosophy of social movements took and reused the concepts of Emmanuel Kant and Hegel.
Human beings are not a means, but an end, and organize the world into categories of knowledge. -Immanuel Kant-
Honneth builds a moral sociological theory of human suffering. It is the product of poor recognition, the engine of social struggles in today’s world.
The author recognizes three areas of human recognition: love, law and solidarity. There is no primacy from one sphere to another.
The relationship between the different areas of recognition is not always harmonious; the constant tension between them widens the boundaries. The consequences of non-recognition vary in each sphere.
The author understands justice as the acquisition of rights and duties beyond the social order, which would only be possible when the subject is disassociated from moral traditions and guided by fundamental universal principles.
Social struggles expand the range of rights and duties, so we identify harm in this area when the subject’s moral ability to take on his own actions, when he is not legally recognized, is not recognized for the ability to make decisions and exercise his rights. he’s engaged.
When people do not feel recognized in their community, ward or work, the realm of solidarity is undermined.
Not feeling a fundamental part of the daily group causes failures in self-esteem and in the connection with others, its lack is a consequence of stigma, affecting the honor and dignity of the person.
Love is, in turn, special, because it depends on the individual’s reference group, the deepest and most fundamental ties of a person, such as family, partner or friends, are a pillar of recognition.
It is not the same to feel valued by peers as loved by family members or the couple.
According to recognition theory, social ties are very important to people and can be expressed in many ways.
A symptom of poor recognition could be excessive use of social media and the concern of many people to create a profile valued by others.
On the other hand, it is possible to promote psychological well-being from this theory, for example, through the following actions:
As mentioned above, the struggle for recognition widens the margins of law, love and solidarity. Let’s review some current and past examples:
Therefore, recognition theory is very important to better understand our bonds and our social dynamism. Have you ever wondered, when you see a person with a negative or depressed attitude, what’s wrong with them?
Be a health care professional, friend or family member: do you wonder if this person feels recognized morally, socially and/or intimately?
Second, it provides us with guidelines for challenging our own recognition. How do we evolve into the groups to which we belong?Do we feel valued? These are issues to consider, especially when thinking about change.