Hermeneutics and relativism

This article presents three hermeneutic answers to the problem of relativism. The first answer is drawn from Wittgenstein's anthropological hermeneutics. Wittgenstein goes beyond relativism by making explicit universal anthropological categories which are specified differently in different cultures. The second answer is to be found in Gadamer's historical hermeneutics. By introducing the concepts of tradition and fusion of horizons, Gadamer evades both absolutism and relativism. The third answer is developed by Habermas in his critical hermeneutics. By situating communicative action in the life-world, and stressing the possibility of discussion and critique, Habermas can ascertain that there is no absolute truth without having to surrender to relativism. The article examines the three forms of hermeneutics, as well as the relations between them

Hermeneutics · Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy · Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education · Wittgensteinian philosophy and applications

• Examining the Relationship between Religious Spirituality and Psychological Science

  Open Access•Brent D Slife, Carolen A Hope et al.•Journal of Humanistic Psychology•1999

  Añadir item

• Theoretical issues in psychology

  Open Access•Brent D Slife•Journal of the History of the…•1998

  Añadir item

• The Social construction of technological systems

  T J Pinch, Thomas Parke Hughes et al.•The Social construction of…•1989

  Añadir item

• Wahrheit Und Methode

  Hans-Georg Gadamer, Hans‐georg Gadamer•Bijdragen•1973

  Añadir item

• Wittgenstein and Logical Necessity

  Barry Stroud•The Philosophical Review•1965

  Añadir item

• The Habermas-Gadamer Debate

  Jack H Mendelson, Jack Mendelson•New German Critique•1979

  Añadir item