Recognition: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives

The concept of recognition has moved to the forefront of philosophical research in recent decades, particularly in political and social philosophy, but also related areas, including philosophy of race and gender, philosophy of mind and language, ethics and aesthetics. It is a concept with deep roots from at least Rousseau and Hegel to contemporary social theory.

In this outstanding volume, an international roster of contributors expands our perspective on recognition beyond the standard story, providing a thought-provoking reassessment of the concept and its history. The twenty-eight chapters explore the full scope of recognition in four sections:

Aesthetic recognition; including chapters on Kant, Simmel, Murdoch, and the relationship between recognition, art, and film, including Boorman's Deliverance and the Dardennes brothers’ Rosetta Recognition in philosophy of mind and language; including chapters on mind-reading, psychoanalysis, the logic and language of recognition, and its relation to epistemic agencyThe ethics of recognition; including chapters on Homer, Plato, classical yoga, F. Schlegel, Beauvoir, the Anthropocene, and recognition in the ethics of cognitive disabilityThe social and political philosophy of recognition; including chapters on property and gift-giving, Hegel’s aftermath, slavery and liberation, colonialism, Arendt, and alterity.With a lucid introduction by the editors detailing the standard story of recognition and what lies beyond, Recognition: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives provides an authoritative and multi-faceted exploration of this fascinating concept, expanding its relevance considerably. It is essential reading for those in philosophy as well as related disciplines such as political theory, sociology, social psychology, and psychoanalysis.