Somogy Varga

Cognitive Theory (CT) is widely acknowledged framework used to understand the psychological processes involved in affective disorders and to conceptualize the adequate psychotherapy. The purpose of this paper is to assess the philosophical assumptions that CT rests upon. It will be argued that CT must be revised due to significant flaws in many of these philosophical assumptions. The last part of the paper will contain suggestions as to how these problems could be overcome in a manner that would secure philosophical coherence, while also providing an account that is better suited to explaining some of the cognitive, emotional and bodily manifestations of affective disorders.

Axel Honneth makes initial and promising steps towards what could be called a two-level account of recognition, according to which the normatively substantial forms of recognition represent various manners in which the primordial acquaintedness with others is expressed. It will be argued that Honneth's promising approach must be revised in regard to the issue of intentionality, which may be achieved by reference to earlier critical theorists such as Adorno and Arendt. With such a foundation, critical theory can enter into new fruitful interdisciplinary dialogue