Beyond the struggle: Paul Ricoeur's revision of recognition

The concept of recognition, as it is widely employed today, is largely understood in terms of struggle. Hegel coined the phrase "struggle for recognition" in the 19th century. Since then, those who have been able to divorce recognition of others from a sense of struggle against others have been few and far between. By speaking of recognition always in terms of struggle the current discussion entrenches perpetual struggle and conflict. This does nothing to alleviate the suffering caused by continual struggle and conflict. This study seeks to reframe the discussion about recognition by considering the contributions of Paul Ricoeur in an attempt to free the concept of recognition from a dependence on struggle. By comparing Ricoeur's thought with another prominent thinker on recognition, Charles Taylor, it will become evident that to avoid perpetual struggle it is necessary to think outside of the boundaries of the current discussion.