Reflections on the concept of recognition in psychosocial practice

Abstract

This article attempts to fertilize the concept of recognition by Axel Honneth for use with mentally handicapped persons. The "Concept of Recognition" offers a concept of fairness that is closely tied to the idea of an integrated life style. The development of self-confidence, self-respect and self-esteem--as differing levels of practical self-relation--are bound to the experience of inter-subjective acceptance. This represents the basic requirement on which the development of a person's identity depends. Refusal of recognition, and/or disregard, exclusion, or disgrace negatively effects the integrity of a person. The relevance of the concept of recognition in psychosocial practice is described, this allows mentally handicapped persons to be observed out of the perspective of "suffering" as well as out of the perspective of "acting". This necessarily requires a biographical and environmental approach. Biography oriented support approaches require continual evaluation of the institutional arrangements that possibly themselves are the source of indignities, disregard and restrictions of autonomy. This analysis however remains incomplete if the social conditions that are responsible for the violation of recognition criteria are not investigated as well.