Misrecognition By Charles Taylor Summary

In his essay “The Politics of Recognition,” Charles Taylor discusses the harm that misrecognition can bring to an individual. This essay will discuss why Taylor is correct that misrecognition is a harm as well as discussing how equal dignity and authenticity can be denied to both the oppressed and the oppressor. Taylor identifies recognition: as the acknowledgement of someone identity, in that their identity entails the specific understanding they have of themselves, and identifies misrecognition as: the harm done to a person when their identities are ignored and used to disadvantage them. Misrecognition, as defined by Taylor, can cause grievous harm to the individual as it disregards their identity, their fundamental human identifiers. Taylor

Someone might argue that misrecognition is not a harm because recognition divides people and because of this misrecognition only deepens these divides. A person disagreeing with Taylor’s claim that recognition is essential/misrecognition is a harm might refer to recognition as political correctness. Some may view the notion of recognition as a privilege, or a handout and misrecognition simple as a mistake due to lack of awareness, rather than a lasting and intentional harm. One may also deny the concept of equal dignity and compassion. This argument could run along the lines of the idea that respect is earned, not given and equal dignity must be earned as well. They may also state they do not owe compassion to people they do not know and have no obligation to offer help to others as their humanity is not contingent on the saving of other people. There are issues that arise with this counter argument. First, it views recognition as a privilege rather than a need. This view is problematic because it does not acknowledge that there are identities that are generally recognized that one may not be aware of if they have never experienced misregonction. Typically, a cisgender, straight, white male may not have awareness that their identities have been recognized because those identities have not been used to oppress them. Secondly, it does not view misrecognition as an intentional harm. While this may be true, and some misrecognitions can be amended, it does not mean all misrecognitions are unintentional. Often, acts of misrecognition come from a place of bad intention; an intention to harm and oppress someone else because of their fundamental human characteristics. Third, it incorrectly identifies political correctness culture. Recognition is the exact opposite of avoidance of people's identities and experiences, rather it is acknowledgement of their identities and experiences.