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Full Idea
We only gradually arrive at the knowledge of the inner unity via the understanding of individual utterances, and therefore the art of explication is also presupposed if the inner unity is to be found....The task is infinite, and can never be accomplished.
Gist of Idea
Unity emerges from understanding particulars, so understanding is prior to seeing unity
Source
Friedrich Schleiermacher (works [1825], p.235), quoted by Terry Pinkard - German Philosophy 1760-1860 06
Book Ref
Pinkard,Terry: 'German Philosophy 1760-1860' [CUP 2002], p.156
A Reaction
[p.235 in ed Bowie 1998] This is the first statement of the hermeneutic circle, which needs whole to grasp parts, and parts to grasp whole. Personally I think the dangers of circles in philosophy are greatly exaggerated.