By Reena Edgar
Jens Zimmermann in his book, “HERMENEUTICS : A very short introduction” clarifies the concept of the understanding through interpretation, not only for the academic purpose but also in daily correspondence. All understanding is context dependent and interest driven.
Hermeneutics could be considered an activity or effort to describe or understand verbal, non-verbal, visual and written communication, establishing proper rules for interpretation guided by the ‘analytical principles’ leading to ‘integration into a meaningful whole’.
Hermeneutics is also a branch of philosophy with a deeper meaning, helping to understand not just texts but life as a whole. It helps to integrate unfamiliar into what is familiar to us. When we fuse our knowledge with others, it transforms into something new and meaningful. I believe that personal involvement is essential to understand things. We see the world based on the angle of our vision or perception. German philosopher Hans-Georg Gadammer’s book ‘Truth and Method’ (1960) also stresses on “understanding understanding”.
The power of words, symbols and concepts in all languages are the medium of our thoughts. Same experience will be expressed differently in different cultures. For example, if someone is not well, in English he/she will say, I am cold but in French it will be I have cold. Language helps to understand the meaning and interpretation.
The introduction has helped me to understand that Hermeneutics takes place when it makes sense within our life context and speaks to us meaningfully. It is ‘interpretive act of integrating things into a meaningful whole’.
Works Cited:
Zimmermann. Hermeneutics A very short introduction
Gadammer. Truth and Method, 1960