Ethical Life, Growth, and Relational Institutions: Intersubjectivity, Freedom, and Critique

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to argue that there are two important positive connections between Hegel and Dewey, and that these important positive connections form the basis of a critical theory in a broad sense: (i) social processes and modern institutions are structured for the purposes of fostering the development of subjectivities that help individuals achieve self-realization; and (ii) social processes and modern institutions are assessed in terms of how well (if at all) they enable the development of unique subjectivities that help individuals achieve self-realization. Following Axel Honneth, I argue that there is compelling reason to suppose Hegel’s notion of Sittlichkeit and Dewey’s notion of democracy have significant critical dimensions.