Recognition: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives

In the last few decades, the concept of recognition has moved to the forefront of philosophical research, particularly in political and social philosophy but also related areas, including philosophy of race and gender, philosophy of mind and social psychology. It is also a concept with deep roots, going back to Rousseau and Hegel and up to the work of much more recent thinkers, such as Charles Taylor and Axel Honneth.

In this outstanding volume, an international roster of contributors explore the philosophy of recognition from multiple standpoints, providing a thought-provoking and wide-ranging reassessment of the concept. Covering the fundamental figures and themes - from the origins of recognition as a philosophical concept to contemporary issues and debates - twenty-eight chapters are divided into four clear parts:

Aesthetic recognition, including Kant, Simmel, and the relationship between recognition and art and film, including John Boorman's Deliverance and the Dardennes' brothers Rosetta
Recognition in philosophy of mind and language, including mind-reading in philosophy of mind, psychoanalysis, Hegel's theory of recognition and recognition and epistemic agency
The ethics of recognition, including Homer, Plato, classical yoga, Friedrich Schlegel, Simone de Beauvoir and existential recognition, the Anthropocene, and recognition and the ethics of institutional care
The social and political philosophy of recognition, including Kant and property, slavery and liberation, Hannah Arendt and phenomenology and recognition and gift-giving.

With a very helpful introduction by the editors, Recognition: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives provides an authoritative and multi-faceted exploration of this fascinating concept, expanding its relevance considerably. It will be important reading for those in philosophy as well as related disciplines such as political theory, sociology, social psychology and psychoanalysis.