In the context of the development of modern sociology the paper examines the key ideas of social theory of Axel Honneth – method of normative reconstruction, the concept of recognition, the phenomenon of “forgotten” recognition, the right of freedom. Honneth is shown as a successor of the Frankfurt school of social sciences, educational source for this school of ideas, perspectives, critical sociology, sociological ideas of Habermas and others demonstrating relevance of European approaches to contemporary sociology.