Leiden University Student Repository

Berkheij, Anne (2017)

Power Relations and Recognition

Master thesis | Philosophy (MA) (60 EC)

This thesis explores the theory of recognition by Axel Honneth and whether or not a struggle in his theory is necessarily a power struggle. I distinguished three different forms of struggles in Honneth's work: a conflict of interests, a conflict for recognition, and a collision. Only the last two are within the scope of the theory of recognition. A struggle for recognition is a situation in one is not recognized as an equal - this is a power struggle. In a collision there is mutual recognition, but a difference in how this should be expressed - this is not a power struggle. This means that a struggle in the theory of recognition is not necessarily a power struggle. In the last chapter I point out the importance of trust in order to cultivate relationships based on mutual recognition.

Recognition

Axel Honneth

Foucault

Power

Mutual Recognition

Critical Theory

Trust

Mutual Trust

Author

Berkheij, Anne

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Philosophy, politics, and economics

Supervisors

Fossen, Thomas

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en