On Axel Honneth’s Self-realization

As the core figure of the third-generation of Frankfurt School,Honneth’s critical theory of recognition as the basic category is not only the continuation and development of the Frankfurt School in the contemporary era,but also occupies a pivotal position in the development history of Western Marxism.His view on self-realization is an important part of his recognition theory.It not only provides a new entry point for his recognition theory at the level of theoretical reflection,but also provides a reference basis for solving human survival dilemma and self-worth at the practical level.This paper takes the subject of Honneth’s view of self-realization,expounds the main contents of his view of self-realization,and reveals his contributions and limitations under the framework of recognition theory based on Honneth’s relevant expositions on self-realization.The introduction part introduces the background and reasons of the topic selection,the purpose and significance of the research,domestic and foreign research review,research methods,research difficulties and innovations.The first chapter explains the realistic background and theoretical origin of Honneth’s self-realization view.The changes in the world pattern have led to the development of pluralism and the expansion of instrumental rationality,which has made philosophers rethink the question of human survival as the key to the era of Honneth’s self-realization view.And Hegel’s intersubjectivity thinking,Marx’s thoughts on social labor,Mead’s self-theory and Habermas’ Theory of intersubjectivity provide theoretical materials for Honneth.Chapters two and three specifically discuss the content of the self-realization view.Among them,the second chapter conceptually explains Honneth’s “self-realization” from the aspects of connotation and characteristics,and points out that “self-realization” lies in the ability to develop oneself autonomously and to realize one’s life goal without compulsion,and discusses the dynamic,personalized and depersonalized characteristics of self-realization.The third chapter combs the logical approach of Honneth’s view of self-realization,and first clarifying the three conditions of love,law and solidarity required for self-realization.And it goes on to say that when individuals suffer contempt such as rape,deprivation of rights and insults,the conditions for self-realization are destroyed,and finally through the three levels of family,law and society to provide individuals with emotional care,institutional protection and social value.The Fourth Chapter analyzes the contribution and limitation of Honneth’s view of self-realization.From the perspective of theoretical value,Honneth’s view of self-realization is a further deepening of his theoretical connotation of recognition,and promotes the development of traditional critical theory from the perspective of moral norms and social pathology.From the perspective of realistic meaning,Honneth’s view of self-realization can provide a certain reference and basis for the social construction and development of our country and the world community of human destiny.From the perspective of theoretical limitation,Honneth’s view of self-realization exaggerates the scope and function of moral norms,deviates from the production paradigm,and has strong idealistic color,which leads to it’s unreliable theoretical basis,at the same time,the relationship between subjectivity and intersubjectivity can not be well dealt with in the process of self-realization,it can not solve the problems of self-realization in the developed capitalist society in practical application.