Outside the Ivory Tower in advance

In this paper, I analyze Vattimo’s advancement of hermeneutics beyond its classical boundaries. Building on his interpretations of Heidegger and Gadamer, Vattimo highlights the emancipatory potential of hermeneutics while critiquing traditional metaphysical frameworks. He advocates for “weak thought” (), a flexible and non-violent approach to truth and interpretation. I argue that Vattimo’s hermeneutics is not merely a theoretical pursuit but a practical and ethical endeavour aimed at reducing metaphysical violence and democratizing knowledge. His approach positions the philosopher as an active participant in societal discourse, insisting that philosophy must engage deeply with contemporary reality, “getting its hands dirty” in the everyday struggles against injustice

Agency (philosophy) · Hermeneutics · Ivory tower · Metaphysics · Politics · Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy · Political Theology and Sovereignty · Violence, Religion, and Philosophy