Recognition theory for Social movement research

Examination of Axel Honneth’s Recognition theory on Dialogue

抄録

This paper examines Axel Honneth’s Recognition theory be Applied to Social movement research¹.
In Recognition struggles and Social movements Hobson suggests that Honneth’s theory has a possibility to be applied to empirical research, especially Social movement research. According to Hobson, Honneth’s theory can grasp the motivation of movements, namely person’s Misrecognition feeling. And Misrecognition is the beginning point of Recognition struggles. Then We emphasize this grasping of Misrecogniton by Honneth’s theory.
Injustice is the medium of real justice (Adorno). Honneth sited this phrase to discuss about the Justice of Recognition theory. According to his theory humans among mutual action can receive the other’s feeling about Misrecognition. Humans can have a chance of understanding the other’s situation and cause of Misrecognition at that time. So imaging anew recognition for the other, the ego and others together will have desire to remedy the Misrecognition.
Then Misrecognition will be the motivation of movements because of their desire of remedying Misrecognition and imaging anew Recognition. In An interview Honneth suggests that the Dialogue with humans and others (for example, with the researcher and the interviewee in structured interview and group discussion) has the function of their finding to be moralistic in specific situations. In my opinion, this specific morality is the bud of morality, that is the new desire for Recognition. So I insist that humans can open new point of view about morality cooperative with others.
Finally It is a time that We confirm Honneth’s suggestion meaning for Social movement research. Nick Crossley indicates that an important task of Social movement research is to light up hidden voices. For Honneth Lighting up hidden voices is to interact cooperatively with others on the subject of Misrecognition, negative experience and its remedy.