An introduction to the hermeneutic philosophy. Theory and practice 3800-WFH-K-OG

To achieve an adequate picture of the modern hermeneutic philosophy, it is first required to understand what it is and what does it grow from, because only then shall the methods, which it uses, and assumptions it makes, become clear. During the course we shall briefly investigate the history of development of the hermeneutic philosophy, beginning with the antiquity, through modernity, when it functioned mostly as an art of the interpretation of holy texts; its return in the 19th century; the peak of its development during the linguistic turn in the 20th; and the latest history.

Basing on the selected fragments of the source texts (Heidegger, Gadamer, Ricoeur) and commentary literature (Caputo, Lorenc, Przylebski), we shall take a look on what the hermeneutic philosophy is as the philosophy of understanding and interpretation. We will discuss, among others, the notions of the hermeneutic circle, pre-judgments (and their role in the formation of understanding), being-in-the-world, being-towards-texts¬ and historically-effected consciousness. We shall also analyse the way in which human is perceived on the fields of the hermeneutic philosophy.

Having a proper theoretical background, we shall commence the attempts to use the previously discussed methods in practice. Primarily, together we will try to interpret and discuss the texts of culture (their choice will be made together with the students depending on their interests), like literature, poetry, film, but also philosophical and social matters (e.g. language, identity, existence, the world etc.)

Every class (both of the theoretical and practical part) shall have a form of conversation classes, which means that the students will be encouraged to actively participate by asking questions, commenting the discussed matters or engaging in a discussion. Students activity will have the greatest significance during the practical part of the classes, when we shall together track the pre-judgements, take a closer look at the mechanism of the hermeneutic circle and at the relation emerging between the interpreter and the text that is being interpreted.

At the end of the course, the students will be required to write short (a few pages long) essays regarding one of the selected subjects:
1. Reflections on the hermeneutic philosophy and its methods;
2. Interpretation of a chosen text or question using the methods of the hermeneutic philosophy.

Type of course

elective courses
general courses

Course coordinators

Aleksander Krzyżanek

Learning outcomes

Acquired knowledge:
After the course, the graduate:
1. Possesses knowledge about the history of development of the hermeneutics, philosophical hermeneutics and hermeneutic philosophy.
2. Knows and understands basic notions and methods of the hermeneutic philosophy, such as the hermeneutic circle, pre-judgements, historically-effected consciousness etc.
3. Understands the conditions of the interpreter which influence the interpretation and understanding of a text.

Acquired skills:
After the course, the graduate is able to:
1. Use the notions and methods of the hermeneutic philosophy.
2. Interpret the texts of culture basing on the methods of the hermeneutic philosophy.
3. Prepare an essay regarding the matters of the hermeneutic philosophy.

Acquired social skills:
After the course, the graduate:
1. Has a better understanding of their worldview, the society and culture.
2. Is open to different interpretations of a given matter.
3. Is able to understand arguments and conditions standing behind the choice of a given interpretation.

Assessment criteria

Active participation in the course (being prepared to the classes, partaking in the discussions and sharing views on the discussed matters) – 50%.
Writing a short essay on a selected and approved by the instructor subject – 50%.

Accepted number of absenses due to excuse during the semester: 2.

Bibliography

Source literature:
1. Gadamer, H.G., Prawda i metoda, przeł. B. Baran, PWN, Warszawa 2013.
2. Gadamer, H.G., Język i rozumienie, przeł. P. Dehnel i B. Sierocka, Aletheia, Warszawa 2003.
3. Gadamer, H.G., Rozum, słowo, dzieje: szkice wybrane, przeł. K. Michalski i M. Łukasiewicz, PIW, Warszawa 2000.
4. Heidegger, M., Bycie i czas, przeł. B. Baran, PWN, Warszawa 2013.
5. Heidegger, M., Ontologia: hermeneutyka faktyczności, przeł. M. Boniecki i J. Duraj, Wyd. Rolewski, Toruń 2007.
6. Ricoeur, P., Język, tekst, interpretacja, przeł. K. Rosner i P. Graff, PIW, Warszawa 1989.
7. Ricoeur, P., O sobie samym jako innym, p. B. Chełstowski, PWN, Warszawa 2018.

Additional literature:
1. Brożek, B., Granice interpretacji, Copernicus Center Press, Kraków 2014.
2. Caputo, J. D., Hermeneutics: Facts and Interpretation in the Age of Information, Penguin Books, St Ives 2018.
3. Lorenc, W., Filozofia hermeneutyczna: inspiracje, klasycy, radykalizacje, wyd. UW, Warszawa 2019.
4. Lorenc, W., Hermeneutyczne koncepcje człowieka, Scholar, Warszawa 2013.
5. Przyłębski, A., Hermeneutyka: od sztuki interpretacji do teorii i filozofii rozumienia, Zysk i S-ka, Poznań 2019.
6. Przyłębski, A., Krytyka hermeneutycznego rozumu: preliminaria, Universitas, Kraków 2016.
7. Przyłębski, A., Sense, meaning and understanding: towards a systematic hermeneutical philosophy, LIT Verlag, Wien 2013.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3800-WFH-K-OG in USOSweb