A system of trust? Robert Brandom and Hegel’s phenomenology of spirit

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss Robert B. Brandom?s reading of G. W. F. Hegel, especially his later work, A Spirit of Trust: A Reading of Hegel?s Phenomenology, in order to tackle the question of ?trust? as the structure of recognition. First, we reconstruct Brandom?s reading of Hegel?s philosophy as a form of ?social recognitive pragmatics? with a ?historical recollective account of conceptual content?, by which he aims at a re-definition of practical normativity based upon trust. Then, we examine his notion of trust as the ground for a future, post-modern society. Finally, we point at some difficulties concerning Brandom?s notion of post-modern age and examine the concept of trust as key to the modern understanding of social bonds.