Naturalistic Hermeneutics

Naturalistic Hermeneutics, first published in 2005, shows how 'meaningful' materials can be dealt with using the hypothetico-deductive method.

C. Mantzavinos (Author)

9780521848121, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 14 March 2005

200 pages
23.4 x 16 x 1.6 cm, 0.405 kg

'I took pleasure in Mantzavinos' approach to Dilthey, Heidegger and Gadamer: he contrasts what they promise with what they deliver. This paves the way for the constructive part of the book, where the hypothetico-deductive method is applied to explain action and interpret texts. A convincing case is thereby made for the book's main conclusion: that although there are many differences between the social sciences, the humanities and the natural sciences, they all share the use of a method that was first employed in the natural sciences. Hence the title: Naturalistic Hermeneutics.' Dagfinn Føllesdal, Oslo and Stanford

Naturalistic Hermeneutics, first published in 2005, proposes the position of the unity of the scientific method and defends it against the claim to autonomy of the human sciences. Mantzavinos shows how materials that are 'meaningful', more specifically human actions and texts, can be adequately dealt with by the hypothetico-deductive method, the standard method used in the natural sciences. The hermeneutic method is not an alternative method aimed at the understanding and the interpretation of human actions and texts, but it is the same as the hypothetico-deductive method applied to meaningful materials. The central thesis advocated by Mantzavinos is, thus, that there is no fundamental methodological difference between natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Advanced students and professionals across philosophy, social and political theory, and the humanities will find this a compelling and controversial book.

Part I. Hermeneutic Dead-ends: 1. The claim to autonomy of the human sciences
2. The hermeneutic circle and the paralysis of thought
3. The claim to universality of philosophical hermeneutics
Part II. Hermeneutic Ways Out: 4. The problematic of meaning: the naturalistic way out
5. The apprehension of the meaning of actions
6. The apprehension of the meaning of texts
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Political science & theory [JPA], Social theory [JHBA], Social & political philosophy [HPS]