Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

138299

Asymmetrical reciprocity

From recognition to responsibility and back

Steffen Herrmann(University of Hagen)

pp. 73-87

Abstract

In this article, I argue that Hegel’s concept of recognition and Levinas’ concept of responsibility complement each other and lead to the idea of an asymmetrical reciprocity in which the origin of our social relations is not mutual equality, but rather mutual inequality. I will unfold this argument in three steps. I will first work out a fundamental asymmetry of recognition in Hegel by means of the figure of the bondsman before elucidating in a second step the asymmetry of responsibility in Levinas by means of the figure of the hostage. In the last and third step, I will correlate both asymmetries and show how far the asymmetry of recognition and the asymmetry of responsibility constantly develop from and transition into one another in our social relationships.

Publication details

Published in:

Magrì Elisa, Petherbridge Danielle (2017) Intersubjectivity and recognition. Metodo 5 (1).

Pages: 73-87

DOI: 10.19079/metodo.5.1.73

Full citation:

Herrmann Steffen (2017) „Asymmetrical reciprocity: From recognition to responsibility and back“. Metodo 5 (1), 73–87.