Hegel's Theory of Recognition: From Oppression to Ethical Liberal Modernity (Continuum Studies in Philosophy, 54)

This is a significant and timely study of Hegel's social theory - there has been a resurgence of scholarly interest in Hegel in recent years. Since the 1960s 'New Left' emancipatory movements have claimed that women, ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians, and other groups are oppressed. Some liberal theorists have treated their demands for equality as matters of toleration, of securing by law the equal treatment of cultures and conceptions of the good. However, much more is involved. Also at stake are conceptions of identity differences that inform social practices and perpetuate inequalities that are beyond the reach of legislation. This book outlines an alternative approach to a liberal politics of difference. Sybol Anderson begins by constructing a definition of oppression that illuminates, from a liberal perspective, its salient features. Exposing the limits of toleration as a response, Anderson reaches beyond it for a viable concept of recognition. Hegel's theory of recognition proves an indispensable resource in this endeavor. Anderson concludes, contrary to recent critics of Hegelian recognition, that Hegel's theory can successfully guide modern liberal states toward the achievement of social equality. Introduction: Redeeming recognition Oppression reconsidered Foundations of a liberal conception Toward a liberal conception of oppression Conclusion : A liberal conception of oppression Misrecognition as oppression Exploitation and disempowerment Cultural imperialism Marginalization Violence Conclusion: Misrecognition as oppression Overcoming oppression : the limits of toleration Contemporary differences : matters of toleration John Rawls : political liberalism Will Kymlicka : multicultural citizenship Conclusion: Accommodating differences : the limits of toleration Beyond toleration : toward a concept of recognition Hegel's early Jena theory of recognition Axel Honneth's critical social theory of recognition Charles Taylor's politics of recognition Conclusion: Toward a concept of public recognition Hegel's theory of recognition in the phenomenology : recognitive understanding and freedom The centrality of recognition in the phenomenology The pure concept of recognition and its failure in mastery and slavery The achievement of mutual recognition through recognitive understanding Challenges to Hegel's recognition theory Conclusion: Hegel's theory of recognition in the phenomenology Recognition in the philosophy of right : particularity and its right Recognition in the philosophy of right Particularity in the free market : the benefits and liabilities of free subjectivity Conclusion: The significance of the right of particularity Winning the right of particularity : recognizing difference in ethical life How particularity wins its right : the bildung of true conscience Exercising the right of particularity : corporations as sites of public recognition Challenges to Hegel's treatment of difference in ethical life Conclusion: The public recognition of difference in civil society Conclusion: Hegel, recognition, and ethical liberal modernity.
Since the 1960s 'New Left' emancipatory movements have claimed that women, ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians, and other groups are oppressed. Some liberal theorists have treated their demands for equality as matters of toleration, of securing by law the equal treatment of cultures and conceptions of the good.  However, much more is involved.  Also at stake are conceptions of identity differences that inform social practices and perpetuate inequalities that are beyond the reach of legislation.

This book outlines an alternative approach to a liberal politics of difference. Sybol Anderson begins by constructing a definition of oppression that illuminates, from a liberal perspective, its salient features. Exposing the limits of toleration as a response, Anderson reaches beyond it for a viable concept of recognition.  Hegel's theory of recognition proves an indispensable resource in this endeavor. Anderson concludes, contrary to recent critics of Hegelian recognition, that Hegel's theory can successfully guide modern liberal states toward the achievement of social equality.

Presents a study of Hegel's social theory. This book outlines an alternative approach to a liberal politics of difference. It begins by constructing a definition of oppression that illuminates, from a liberal perspective, its salient features.