Recognition

'Since path-breaking work on the theme in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, recognition theory has developed into a major research approach, perhaps even paradigm, in philosophy and related disciplines. Certain limiting assumptions about recognition are widely associated with this approach—assumptions concerning the history of the idea, the legitimate areas of application of the approach, the paradigmatic structure of recognition-relations, and their possible relata. This superb collection of new essays shakes these associations and paves way for understanding recognition as having a much wider significance than often thought—universally human and perhaps even crossing the boundary between the human and the non-human. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the theme of recognition.' - Heikki Ikäheimo, University of New South Wales, Australia 'Since path-breaking work on the theme in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, recognition theory has developed into a major research approach, perhaps even paradigm, in philosophy and related disciplines. Certain limiting assumptions about recognition are widely associated with this approach—assumptions concerning the history of the idea, the legitimate areas of application of the approach, the paradigmatic structure of recognition-relations, and their possible relata. This superb collection of new essays shakes these associations and paves way for understanding recognition as having a much wider significance than often thought—universally human and perhaps even crossing the boundary between the human and the non-human. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the theme of recognition.' - Heikki Ikäheimo, University of New South Wales, Australia 'A rich philosophical discussion has been initiated in the 1990s by the seminal works of Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser. This fascinating collection provides new directions for this discussion. It demonstrates that contemporary theories of recognition offer a novel and unanticipated perspective on certain philosophies of the past, including those of Plato and classical Yoga. Furthermore, it addresses issues that have hitherto been neglected, such as aesthetics and the philosophy of language. And finally, this collection sheds light on new dimensions of the politics of recognition. It very convincingly shows that the concept of recognition offers a fundamental resource for individuals and groups who seek to address contemporary challenges, social and political, through a philosophical lens.' - Emmanuel Renault, University Paris Nanterre, France