Abstract

Over the past three decades, a discussion has developed around recognition both as a complement to personal identity and as a normative operator conferring respect or esteem. The literature and the positions on recognition are now conspicuous. My aim in what follows is not to map the entire debate on recognition, but to limit myself to one specific aspect: the use of Hegel as a source (and inspiration) for the concept of recognition. I will discuss the different manner in which Honneth, on the one hand, and other authors (such as Judith Butler), on the other use Hegel. Although Honneth repeatedly refers to the theme of the struggle, in order to defend his own positive approach to recognition, he ends up ignoring the conception expounded by Hegel in the￿Phenomenology of Spirit,￿focusing on (and limiting himself to) the young Hegel. Such purging of the conflictual moment intrinsic to the logic of recognition, transforms and reduces it to a kind of good to grant.