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CSUDH Habermas UWP

California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Created: June 6, 2001
Latest update: November 5, 2001
jeannecurran@habermas.org

Graduate Social Theory Readings
Week of November 5, 2001: Week 11

• Online Readings:
  • Social Philosophy by Axel Honneth. Essay on the historical development of social philosophy, with an emphasis on re-interpreting the field for 2001.
  • Moral Textures: Feminist Narratives in the Public Sphere By María Pía Lara. This social philosopher from Mexico broaches the topic of secular evil: how can humans do such terrible things to other humans?
  • Instructions for Thesis Project
  • jeanne's November Novel This is the novel jeanne has undertaken to write in November to match your writing of your thesis project. I think the experience of doing a thesis project, at least one that you do for yourself, in a specifically limited time frame, is an important learning tool for all graduate students.

• Hardcopy Readings:
  Contemporary Social Theory, ed. by Anthony Elliott.
  • Chapter 13. Patterns of Intersubjective Recognition: Love, Rights and Solidarity by Axel Honneth. Pp. 184-195.

    Note Honneth's definition of "love" on p. 186, paragraph 1: "Object-relations theory . . . . can convincingly portray love as a particular form of recognition only owing to the specific way in which it makes the success of affectional bonds dependent on the capacity, cquired in early childhood, to strike a balance between symbiosis and self-assertion."

    Note also Honneth's explanation on pp. 192-193 of love as a "special relationship of mutual recognition,." noting that it is a "precondition for the development of all further attitudes of self-respect."

• Some Suggested Measures of Learning:

  Comment on one of the following topics, or do something of your own choosing.

  1. Discuss the importance of mutual recognition as Honneth describes it.

     Consider that the process needs to be interactive.

  2. Discuss the ways in which love is a precondition for self-respect.

     Consider that respect from self derives from the recognition of self and other, and that the general struggle of self with other is essential, according to object-relations theory, for that recognition to develop.

  3. In what sense does the recent debacle of September 11 call into question the self-respect of the US and to what extent does that demand mutual recognition, and of whom?

     The events of Septembre 11 struck our amour-propre. We cannot now respect ourselves if we do not "win." This is the message that Bush has repeated that I have called a "cheer-leading message." Bear in mind that Honneth's precondition for self-respect requires love. What would constitute love in this situation?

     Consider good faith listening in order to recognize the Other, which would be essential to the recognition of self. Considered in that light, is protestation against the bombing in Afghan a negative or a plus in the reconstruction of our self-esteem?

  4. Discuss the concept of a secular approach to evil, as it is described by Maria Pia Lara.

     Consider the taboo of discussing the sacred. Consider also the conflicts between many sects of even the same religion, given the increasing effects of globalization. Consider also the references we have made to Cheap Forgiveness and the ultimate assumption of responsibility for our own actions.

  5. Do the concepts of "evil," "public sphere," and secular approach make any sense on considering the events off September 11?

     Consider the difficulty of defining "evil." Consider the importance of myths and the imaginary. Consider the secular approach to "evil" and "good" in a final confrontation.