On Mutual Recognition. Hegel versus Habermas and Apel.

Abstract
This paper aims at clarifying the similarities and differences between Hegel and Habermas/Apel in relation to the topic of mutual recognition. Hegel’s dialectic of master and slave in his Phenomenology of Spirit forms the point of departure. This version of Hegel’s dialectic of recognition will be compared to Habermas’ and Apel’s discourse ethics. Habermas’/Apel’s linguistic and communicative turn represents one of the main differences in this regard, and will be compared to the abstractive type of recognition that is to be found in Hegel’s Phenomenology version of this topic. The idea of mutual recognition is, nevertheless, at hand in both positions, and worth taking a closer look at.