Single Idea 5437

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / H. Continental Philosophy / 3. Hermeneutics]

Full Idea

The claim of hermeneutics to give understanding instead of explanation can be seen as part of the theory of knowledge, but it seems to be incompatible with the most accepted aspects of positivism.

Clarification

'Positivism' says only scientific method provides true knowledge

Gist of Idea

The claim of hermeneutics to give knowledge through understanding is challenged by positivism

Source

comment on Wilhelm Dilthey (works [1883]) by Thomas Mautner - Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy p.248

Book Reference

Mautner,Thomas: 'Dictionary of Philosophy' [Penguin 1997], p.248


A Reaction

So much the worse for positivism. The same conflict occurs in modern philosophy of mind. God can be a positivist if he likes, but we must settle for hermeneutics for a lot of our knowledge. We are discussing method, not ontology.