Mediational Recognition and Metaphysical Power: A Systematic Analysis

Abstract

Interhuman relations sometimes suffer from a lack of adequate recognition. Here I ask whether this can be caused by the “third” of representations of a superhuman ultimate object or source of recognition, that is, a personal God. In arguing for a positive answer, I articulate a notion of mediational recognition, and present a systematic analysis of a trilateral form of recognition in which one party claims to mediate normative judgements of another party to a third one. The analysis then focuses on the structure of metaphysical power that can be generated by religious groups and institutions.

Keywords

• recognition
• mediational recognition
• metaphysical power
• religious identity
• social pathology
• contemporary recognition theory