| Abstract |
This paper aims to explore the theme of recognition of nature by discussing Axel Honneth’s theory of the reciprocal recognition as well as Wang, Fu-zhi’s thought of Qi. Honneth argues that affective recognition is primary to cognition, which involves one’s self-understanding, reciprocal recognition with other persons and recognition for nature. I attempt to demonstrate that Honneth’s theory of recognition has been to some extent reduced to interaction between human persons and takes into account of nature only through an indirect way. I seek to synthesize the advantages of Honneth’s approach, which focuses on an anthropology of inter-subjectivity, with Wang, Fu-zhi’s thought of Qi, which provides essential insight to enable the integration of nature and society within the theory of recognition. It would be also helpful to trace the first generation of theorists of the Frankfurt School, namely Benjamin and Adorno, combining their aesthetic discussions about aura with thought of Qi, so that we can see how one’s self-understanding should connect with nature in the framework of recognition.
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