Narrativity and subjectivation in Seyla Benhabib

• Grant number: 18/16409-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy - Ethics
• Principal researcher: Ricardo Ribeiro Terra
• Grantee: Jéssica Omena Valmorbida
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/11611-3 - Public sphere and reconstruction: on the constitution of a reconstructive paradigm within Critical Theory, AP.TEM

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the narrative model of identity constitution in the philosophy of Seyla Benhabib. The narrativity offers a dynamic approach to the identities of the selves, of the interactions between the groups, since their formation is at the same time autonomous, relational and possible to be negotiated. Our hypothesis is that the idea of a narrativity plays a fundamental role in promoting the concept of "concrete other" - central to Benhabib's project of reviewing tradition during the 1980s and 1990s - inasmuch as i) articulates one of the following forms of expression where contextualization does not compromise the action potential; ii) it offers a possibility to the author of the tradition; iii) it bases both the formation of and the organization of social movements. The Benhabib's project is constructed through a number of discussions between the highlights Iris Young and Judith Butler, in order to provide a viable model for thinking identities in democratic contexts. In recovering these debates, we intend to reject readings that attribute to Benhabib's project an overly rationalist self-concept that would not have taken into account its own insight against tradition and against Habermas. We will also reject the objections that Benhabib disregards real power relationships based on gender difference, as does Amy Allen.