This paper deals with the relationship between recognition and subjugation as approached in the negative and positive theories of recognition. A common starting point of these theories is the perception of the relational character of our identity and the interpretation of this dependency relation as a productive and constitutive event. In my argumentative strategy, I will proceed in an "inward" manner: I will take seriously the fact that, in both cases, theories of intersubjectivity are treated to assess whether or not they do justice to the original perception that consciousness of myself I only acquire as mediated by another self. The two positions share the conception that there is no pre-social self and, thus, also share the view that individuality and sociality are mutually conditioning. They, nevertheless, differ as to how they interpret and evaluate this condition.
Theory of recognition; Intersubjectivity; Individuality and sociability; Axel Honneth