Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics is a popular qualitative research interpretive method aiming to explore the meaning of individual experiences in relation to understanding human interpretation. Gadamer identifies that authentic engagement with reading requires awareness of the inter-subjective nature of understanding in order to promote a reflective engagement with the text. The main concepts of Gadamer’s view of reading and understanding are explored in this paper in relation to interpreting text. Concepts such as; inter-subjectivity, Being, authenticity, fore-structure, pre-suppositions, prejudice, temporality and history are all help to enhance health and social science researchers’ understanding of his theory and its application.
Full Answer
What does Gadamer mean by Horizon?
' Gadamer states that: 'the concept of horizon suggests itself because it expresses the superior breadth of vision that the person who is trying to understand must have. To acquire a horizon means that one learns to look beyond what is close at hand – not in order to look away from it but to see it better'.
What does Gadamer mean by play?
Gadamer asserts the “primacy of the play” over consciousness: “the players are merely the way the play comes into presentation” (TM 92, 98). Participation takes the individual players out of themselves. The individual subject is that upon which success, satisfaction or loss is imposed from within the game.
What does Gadamer mean by truth?
According to Gadamer, truth may be an aesthetic concept as well as a linguistic or a scientific concept. Truth may belong to a work of art as well as to a scientific theory or to a logical proposition. The truth of a work of art may be experienced by aesthetic consciousness.
Is Gadamer a relativist?
This influence has led many to conclude – with positive attribution, in those such as Richard Rorty, or with negative attribution, in those such as Leo Strauss – that Gadamer is a moral relativist. Yet, notwithstanding his explicit appropriation of Heidegger, Gadamer refutes this charge throughout his career.
What does Gadamer say about art?
According to Gadamer, art is an experience. He claims that the artwork is not a simple thing; “the work of art is not an object that stands over against a subject for itself. Instead, the work of art has its true being in the fact that it becomes an experience that changes the person who experiences it.
What was Gadamer's goal in studying hermeneutics?
The chief issue of Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics is to clarify that such a hermeneutical experience of truth is not only valid in its own right, but that it is distinct from, and even more original than, the sense of truth at issue in knowledge secured through the norms and methods of modern science.
When did Gadamer write Truth and Method?
1960Truth and Method (German: Wahrheit und Methode) is a 1960 book by the philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer, in which the author deploys the concept of "philosophical hermeneutics" as it is worked out in Martin Heidegger's Being and Time (1927). The book is considered Gadamer's major work.
What does hermeneutic phenomenology mean?
Hermeneutic phenomenology is focused on subjective experience of individuals and groups. It is an attempt to unveil the world as experienced by the subject. through their life world stories. This school believes that interpretations are all we have and description itself is an interpretive process.
Where did hermeneutics originate?
Although its origins are somewhat unclear, the term hermeneutics is often traced back to the ancient Greek figure of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. In Plato, hermeneutic knowledge is understood as revealed and intuitive, and hence different from truth-oriented and discursively based theory.
Who coined the term hermeneutics?
The Latin half-neologism 'hermeneutica' was introduced into scientific terminology shortly before 1630 by the German philosopher and theologian Johann Conrad Dannhauer (1603–66) as an equivalent of the old Greek term 'herméneutike [techné]' (=hermeneutic [art]) that in turn derives from the verb 'hermeneúein,' meaning ...
What is the study of the nature of reality?
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that studies the fundamental nature of reality, the first principles of being, identity and change, space and time, causality, necessity, and possibility.
What was Gadamer's role in Heidegger's life?
2. Gadamer worked for Heidegger as an unpaid assistant.
What is the key concept of hermeneutics?
KEY CONCEPT. Hermeneutics concerns itself with the philosophy of interpretation, initially oriented toward the interpretation of texts. Indeed, though its origins lay in Greek antiquity, ‘advances in the formulation of methods of interpretation had to await the Reformation and the attack on the Church’s authority to interpret the bible.’ 1. ...
Who said understanding is a historically effected event?
Gadamer stated that ‘understanding is, essentially, a historically effected event’. 3. Hans-Georg Gadamer, Truth and Method, (Joel Weinheimer and Donald G Marshall trs, 2nd edn, ...
What is Gadamer's work?
In these respects, Gadamer’s work, in conjunction with that of Heidegger, represents a radical reworking of the idea of hermeneutics that constitutes a break with the preceding hermeneutical tradition, and yet also reflects back on that tradition.
Who was Gadamer's influence on Plato?
Under the influence of his early teachers such as Hartmann, as well as Friedlander, Gadamer developed an approach to Plato that rejected the idea of any ‘hidden’ doctrine in Plato’s thought, looking instead to the structure of the Platonic dialogues themselves as the key to understanding Plato’s philosophy.
What is the basic model of understanding that Gadamer finally arrives at?
The basic model of understanding that Gadamer finally arrives at in Truth and Method is that of conversation. A conversation involves an exchange between conversational partners that seeks agreement about some matter at issue; consequently, such an exchange is never completely under the control of either conversational partner, but is rather determined by the matter at issue. Conversation always takes place in language and similarly Gadamer views understanding as always linguistically mediated. Since both conversation and understanding involve coming to an agreement, so Gadamer argues that all understanding involves something like a common language, albeit a common language that is itself formed in the process of understanding itself. In this sense, all understanding is, according to Gadamer, interpretative, and, insofar as all interpretation involves the exchange between the familiar and the alien, so all interpretation is also translative. Gadamer’s commitment to the linguisticality of understanding also commits him to a view of understanding as essentially a matter of conceptual articulation. This does not rule out the possibility of other modes of understanding, but it does give primacy to language and conceptuality in hermeneutic experience. Indeed, Gadamer takes language to be, not merely some instrument by means of which we are able to engage with the world, but as instead the very medium for such engagement. We are ‘in’ the world through being ‘in’ language. This emphasis on the linguisticality of understanding does not, however, lead Gadamer into any form of linguistic relativism. Just as we are not held inescapably captive within the circle of our prejudices, or within the effects of our history, neither are we held captive within language. Language is that within which anything that is intelligible can be comprehended, it is also that within which we encounter ourselves and others. In this respect, language is itself understood as essentially dialogue or conversation. Like Wittgenstein, as well as Davidson, Gadamer thus rejects the idea of such a thing as a ‘private language’—language always involves others, just as it always involves the world.
What does Gadamer mean by play?
Gadamer takes play as the basic clue to the ontological structure of art, emphasizing the way in which play is not a form of disengaged, disinterested exercise of subjectivity, but is rather something that has its own order and structure to which one is given over.
How did Gadamer's mother die?
His mother died of diabetes when Gadamer was only four, and he had no surviving brothers or sisters. Showing an early interest in humanistic studies, Gadamer began university studies in Breslau in 1918 (studying with Richard Hoenigswald), moving to Marburg with his father in 1919.
What is Gadamer's mode of insight?
The way in which Gadamer conceives of understanding, and interpretation, is as just such a practically oriented mode of insight—a mode of insight that has its own rationality irreducible to any simple rule or set of rules, that cannot be directly taught, and that is always oriented to the particular case at hand.
When did Gadamer complete his doctoral studies?
Gadamer completed his doctoral studies at Marburg in 1922 (in his own words, ‘too young’—see Gadamer 1997b, 7) with a dissertation on Plato. In that same year, Gadamer also contracted poliomyelitis, from which he recovered only slowly, and the after-effects of which remained with him for the rest of his life.
What is the role of interpreter in Gadamerian hermeneutics?
The role of the interpreter within Gadamerian hermeneutics has a specific characteristic in understanding human potential, through the ontic-ontology of Heidegger’s notion of Being (Heidegger 2003; Gadamer 2004a). The word ontology comes from the Greek language meaning the study of Being, reviewed by Heidegger for contemporary philosophy by situating Being into the average everydayness of life (Heidegger 2003). To Heidegger and Gadamer, understanding the concept of Being and ‘what it is to be’ human meant that by analysing this most fundamental of concepts we can then and only then begin to understand how we live and engage in the world through the medium of language (Gadamer 2004a; Gadamer 2004b). Language delivers pointers to the truth concealed within word meaning and reveals that something exists in a (hermeneutic) circle of ontological possibilities (Gadamer 2004a).
What is Gadamer's work?
This paper aims to articulate Gadamer’s work in relation to reading, understanding and interpretation for health and social science researchers’ . Gadamer’s key concepts are of particular concern for qualitative researchers’ intending to use philosophical hermeneutics for interpreting research participants’ narrative and findings. The researchers’ own experience of reading and understanding are important when relating concepts of pre-supposition (bias, fore-structure), inter-subjectivity, authenticity (being reflective), temporality (time affecting understanding/ emotion), tradition and history (culture) to interpreting the written word. These concepts are significant because of the central interpretive relationship of the researcher within the qualitative research process. The terms researcher and interpreter are used interchangeably due to the cyclical nature of interpretation.
What is Hans-Georg Gadamer's philosophy?
Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics is a popular qualitative research interpretive method aiming to explore the meaning of individual experiences in relation to understanding human interpretation. Gadamer identifies that authentic engagement with reading requires awareness of the inter-subjective nature of understanding in order to promote a reflective engagement with the text. The main concepts of Gadamer’s view of reading and understanding are explored in this paper in relation to interpreting text. Concepts such as; inter-subjectivity, Being, authenticity, fore-structure, pre-suppositions, prejudice, temporality and history are all help to enhance health and social science researchers’ understanding of his theory and its application.
Who is Hans-Georg Gadamer?
Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002) was an influential German philosopher of the twentieth century, inspiring a variety of scholastic disciplines from aesthetics to theology. In suggesting understanding was interpretation and vice versa, Gadamer identifies language acting as the medium for understanding and a means of sharing the complexities of human experience (Gadamer 2004a). From the ground breaking work of his teacher and friend Martin Heidegger, Gadamer wrote about human subjectivity and developing a critical and dialogical approach to philosophical hermeneutics in his magnus opus Truth and Method (2004a) first published in 1960.
1.0. Introdução
A hermenêutica jurídica seguia uma tradição dogmática, engessada em padrões e métodos que visavam a interpretar a norma com a intenção de se extrair seu exato significado.
2.0. Os métodos interpretativos segundo hermeneutas Descartes e Hans Kelsen
A importância da teoria desse autor consiste na quebra de paradigmas antigos difundidos, principalmente, pela tradição da Igreja Cristã, onde a interpretação estava baseada em padrões vulgares, ou seja, sem embasamentos científicos.
3.0. Contribuição de Gadamer à Hermenêutica
Hans Georg Gadamer foi um filósofo alemão que contemporaneamente é considerado um dos maiores expoentes da hermenêutica filosófica.
4.0. A hermenêutica jurídica: contribuição de Gadamer
A hermenêutica jurídica não almeja compreender textos dados, já que é uma medida auxiliar das práxis jurídicas e inclina-se a sanar certas deficiências e casos excepcionais no sistema da dogmática jurídica.
5.0. Conclusão
Mediante o exposto, observa-se a contribuição significativa que Hans-Georg Gademer proporcionou para a hermenêutica jurídica. Através de suas teses, demostrou o modo como a linguagem influi na tradição, que, concomitantemente, estrutura os preconceitos modificados a todo instante por um processo dialético chamado “fusão de horizontes”.
6.0. Bibliografia
STRACK, LENIO Luiz. Hermenêutica jurídica e (m) crise: uma exploração hermenêutica da construção do Direito. 11ª Ed. Porto Alegre -RS: Livraria do Advogado Editora, 2014. 455p.;23 cm.
What did Gadamer argue about truth and method?
In Truth and Method, Gadamer argued that "truth" and "method" were at odds with one another. For Gadamer, "the experience of art is exemplary in its provision of truths that are inaccessible by scientific methods, and this experience is projected to the whole domain of human sciences.".
What was Gadamer's goal?
Gadamer's goal was to uncover the nature of human understanding.
What did Gadamer say about prejudice?
For Gadamer, these prejudices are not something that hinders our ability to make interpretations, but are both integral to the reality of being, and “are the basis of our being able to understand history at all.”. Gadamer criticized Enlightenment thinkers for harboring a "prejudice against prejudices".
What was Gadamer's first career?
Indeed, while Truth and Method became central to his later career, much of Gadamer's early life centered on studying Greek thinkers, Plato and Aristotle specifically. In the Italian introduction to Truth and Method , Gadamer said that his work on Greek philosophy was "the best and most original part" of his career.
When was the last meeting between Gadamer and Derrida?
A last meeting between Gadamer and Derrida was held at the Stift of Heidelberg in July 2001, coordinated by Derrida's students Joseph Cohen and Raphael Zagury-Orly. This meeting marked, in many ways, a turn in their philosophical encounter.
When did Gadamer sign the Vow of Allegiance?
In 1933 Gadamer signed the Vow of allegiance of the Professors of the German Universities and High-Schools to Adolf Hitler and the National Socialistic State . In April 1937 he became a temporary professor at Marburg, then in 1938 he received a professorship at Leipzig University.
Where was Gadamer born?
Family and early life. Gadamer was born in Marburg, Germany, the son of Johannes Gadamer (1867–1928), a pharmaceutical chemistry professor who later also served as the rector of the University of Marburg. He was raised a Protestant Christian. Gadamer resisted his father's urging to take up the natural sciences and became more ...
Biographical Sketch
Hermeneutical Foundations
Philosophical Hermeneutics
Philosophy and The History of Philosophy
Literature and Art
- 2.1 Dialogue and Phronesis
Gadamer’s thinking began and always remained connected with Greekthought, especially that of Plato and Aristotle. In this respect,Gadamer’s early engagement with Plato, which lay at the core of bothhis doctoral and habilitation dissertations, was determinative of muchof the character an… - 2.2 Ontology and Hermeneutics
Traditionally, hermeneutics is taken to have its origins in problemsof biblical exegesis and in the development of a theoretical frameworkto govern and direct such exegetical practice. In the hands ofeighteenth and early nineteenth century theorists, writers such asChladenius and Meier…
Practical Philosophy
- 3.1 The Positivity of ‘Prejudice’
One might respond to Gadamer’s emphasis on our prior hermeneuticinvolvement, whether in the experience of art or elsewhere, that suchinvolvement cannot but remain subjective simply on the grounds that itis always determined by our particular dispositions to experiencethings in certain … - 3.2 The Happening of Tradition
Inasmuch as understanding always occurs against the background of ourprior involvement, so it always occurs on the basis of ourhistory. Understanding, for Gadamer, is thus always an‘effect’ of history, while hermeneutical‘consciousness’ is itself that mode of being that is consciousof its o…