The morality of Recognition

Over the last decade, Axel Honneth has established himself as one of the leading social and political philosophers in the world today. Rooted in the tradition of critical theory, his writings have been central to the revitalization of critical theory and have become increasingly influential. His theory of recognition has gained worldwide attention and is seen by some as the principal counterpart to Habermas´s theory of discourse ethics. In this important new volume, Honneth pursues his interests is practical philosophy by exploring the limits of a theory of justice oriented towards procedure. He argues that a formal, procedural theory of justice needs to be augmented by an account of the ´other´ of justice which addresses the specific morality of social relations and the political conditions of a democratic formation of the will. By developing an original account of the ´other´ of justice, Honneth is able to steer a course between Kantianism, communitarianism and poststructuralist ethics and to outline a practical social and political philosophy for the contemporary age.This new book by one of the leading social and political philosophers of our time will be of particular interest to students and scholars in social and political theory and philosophy.
Contents: Contents I. The Tasks of Social Philosophy Pathologies of the Social: The Past and Present of Social Philosophy The Possibility of a Disclosing Critique of Society: The Dialectic of Enlightenment in Light of Current Debates in Social Criticism The Social Dynamics Of Disrespect: On The Location Of Critical Theory Today Moral Consciousness and Class Domination: Some Problems in the Analysis of Hidden Morality II. Morality and Recognition The Other of Justice: Habermas and the Ethical Challenge of Postmodernism Between Aristotle and Kant: Recognition and Moral Obligation Between Justice and Affection: The Family as a Field of Moral Disputes Love and Morality: On the Moral Content of Emotional Ties Decentered Autonomy: The Subject After the Fall III. Problems of Political Philosophy Is Universalism a Moral Trap? The Presuppositions and Limits of a Politics of Human Rights Democracy as Reflexive Cooperation: John Dewey and the Theory of Democracy Today Negative Freedom and Cultural Belonging: An Unhealthy Tension in the Political Philosophy of Isaiah Berlin Post-traditional Communities: A Conceptual Proposal