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Hermeneutics
How do I understand?What does it mean to understand something?
Background: Understanding the bibleUnderstanding the lawPhenomenologyGerman/continental philosophyMartin Heidegger (1889 - 1976)Hans Georg Gadamer (1900 –
2002)
Hermeneutics
Problem:
How can I secure the quality of my research?
The problem of knowing – Ontology
Epistemology
Hermeneutics
The problem of understanding and truth in science
Nihilism (I do not care about your research)
Scepticism (I do not believe you)Rationalism (Theory is the thing – and it
should be for you as well)Positivism (Data is the ting – and it
should be for you as well)
Hermeneutics as an alternative
Hermenutics
The problem with nihilism and scepticism
Nihilism - ignored
Scepticism: The scandal of philosophy.
Is there an external world?
Hermeneutics
Through language are we part of a community, which makes scepticism irrelevant.
Ask Instead: What does it mean to be!
Hermeneutics
The problem of understanding
Heidegger: Vor-grif (Language, concepts)
Vor-sight (horizon, world view)
Vor-habe (intention)
Hermeneutics
Understanding
Prejudice: all understanding begins with a prejudiceVor-wissen, Pre-
understanding, for-forståelse
I know that there is something, therefore I can ask interesting questions and correct my pre-understanding into a good, trustworthy, genuine, true, reliable understanding
Hermeneutics
Horizon:
“Pardon him, Theodotus: He is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.”
(G.B. Shaw, Caesar and Cleopatra)
Horizon, world view, schetama, reality, …
Hermeneutics
Understanding as Fusion of Horizons
Understand your own horizon Understand the other’s horizonUnderstand the horizon of your field of
researchUnderstand a common horizonUnderstand a new horizon
Hermeneutics
Distance of time
Things are forgotten
Distance of time gives us the possibility of new and interesting interpretations.
Ex: The history of witches.
Hermeneutics
Tradition - Überlieferung
”Understanding is to be thought of less as a subjective act than as participating in an event of tradition, a process of transmission in which past and present is constantly mediated”
Hermeneutics
History of effect (Virkungsgeschicte) and consciousness of history of effect
To understand history is to understand its effect on the future
Ex: Jesus and the witches
Hermeneutics
The foreconception of completenessWahrheitsanspruch - the claim of truth
The text is a wholeThe text is true
If not, we will wonder
Hermeneutics
SituationNothing happens in a vacuumWe are always in time an spaceWe bring our personal historyWe bring our experiencesWe bring our prejudices
We are always in a situation, which will affect our interpretations
Hermeneutics
Understanding as use
The judge understands the law when he uses it
The engineer understands math when she uses it
Hermeneutics
Truth as ”aletheia”
“A glade in the forest – walking towards the light”
A constant search for truth - which we will probably never find – but the search will make us wiser!
Hermeneutics
Conclusions
• Understanding as a fusion of horizons• “Man må sætte sine fordomme på spil for at få dem i spil”• Put your prejudices at stake• Understanding is self-understanding• Understanding is to be part of a tradition• Understanding is tied to a situation• Understanding is understanding of something (sachverstehen)• Understanding is ethical• Understanding and use
Hermeneutics
Conclusions
The quality of my research?
PrejudicesHorizons and fusion of horizonsSachverstehen