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Cited by 87Hermeneutics and Narrative IdentityPhenomenology and Existential PhilosophyPhilosophy, Ethics, and Existentialism

Understanding Hermeneutics

Schmidt, Lawrence K.·2006
DOI 10.1017/upo9781844653843
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Abstract

Hermeneutics concerns itself with the theory of understanding and the interpretation of language. The question of how to correctly interpret and understand others remains one of the most contested branches of philosophy. In Understanding Hermeneutics Lawrence Schmidt provides an introduction to modern hermeneutics through a systematic examination of the ideas of its key philosophical proponents. Chapter 1 examines the ideas of the Protestant theologian, Friedrich Schleiermacher, who argues that misunderstanding is always possible so we must always employ interpretation if we are to understand correctly. Chapter 2 discusses the ideas of Dilthey, who maintains that understanding in the humanities is fundamentally different from explanation in the natural sciences, and who presents a methodology to judge what another person means or feels by means of their language and also their gestures, facial expressions, and manners of acting. Chapter 3 explores the ideas of Heidegger who radicalizes the concept by shifting its focus from interpreting texts to an existential interpretation of human being. In Chapter 4 the recent ideas of Gadamer are examined, which extend to examining the structures of hermeneutic experience and to question the supremacy of the natural sciences as models for truth. The final chapters consider some of the criticisms and controversies surrounding hermeneutics, including the work of Habermas, Hirsch, Ricoeur and Derrida, and the prospects for the future of her…

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  • Hermeneutics became a general theory of interpretation already in the 19th century.

    “Hermeneutics became a general theory of interpretation already in the 19th century.”

    From Ludology, Narratology and Philosophical Hermeneutics (2014) · cites this paper as Schmidt 2006

  • Gadamer sees prejudices as the fore-structures of understanding.

    “He sees prejudices as the fore-structures of understanding”

    From Real-time hermeneutics: meaning-making in ludonarrative digital games (2018) · cites this paper as Schmidt, 2006

  • The process of interpretation works in the manner of the hermeneutic circle described by Schleiermacher.

    “This process of interpretation works in the manner of the hermeneutic circle described by Schleiermacher and elaborated above (Schmidt, 2006, p. 14).”

    From Real-time hermeneutics: meaning-making in ludonarrative digital games (2018) · cites this paper as Schmidt, 2006

  • Following Heidegger, Gadamer calls this 'thrownness'.

    “Following Heidegger, Gadamer calls this 'thrownness' (Schmidt, 2006, p. 69, 99-101).”

    From Real-time hermeneutics: meaning-making in ludonarrative digital games (2018) · cites this paper as Schmidt, 2006

  • Humans are always understanding something in a preliminary way before starting the conscious task of interpreting.

    “humans as always understanding something in a preliminary way before starting the conscious task of interpreting.”

    From Real-time hermeneutics: meaning-making in ludonarrative digital games (2018) · cites this paper as Schmidt, 2006

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Authors
Schmidt, L. K.
Affiliations
Hendrix College (US)
Corresponding author
Schmidt, Lawrence K.
Publisher
Acumen Publishing Limited
Published
2006-10-31
DOI
10.1017/upo9781844653843
OpenAlex
W2297268241
Cited by
87
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.33
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 2289 d)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Hermeneutics and Narrative Identity
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Philosophy, Ethics, and Existentialism
Keywords
hermeneutics, theory of understanding, interpretation of language, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Wilhelm Dilthey, Martin Heidegger, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Jürgen Habermas, Stanley Hauerwas, Paul Ricoeur, Jacques Derrida, humanities versus sciences, hermeneutic experience, critique of natural science, philosophy of language

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