Philosophical Hermeneutics Reinterpreted: Dialogues with Existentialism, Pragmatism, Critical Theory and Postmodernism (Continuum Studies in Continental Philosophy, 51)

In this important new study, Paul Fairfield examines a number of issues of central importance to philosophical hermeneutics. His aim is less to reexamine the basic hypotheses of hermeneutics (Gadamer's hermeneutics in particular) than to understand it in relational terms, by bringing it into closer association with existentialism, pragmatism, critical theory, and postmodernism. Fairfield contends that there are important affinities and areas for critical exchange between hermeneutics and these four schools of thought which have, until now, remained underappreciated. Philosophical Hermeneutics Reinterpreted examines several of these connections by interpreting hermeneutics in relation to specific themes in the writings of key figures within each of these traditions. In so doing, he both clarifies some outstanding issues in hermeneutics and advances the subject beyond what Heidegger, Gadamer, and Ricoeur have given us. In this important new study, Paul Fairfield examines a number of issues of central importance to philosophical hermeneutics. His aim is less to reexamine the basic hypotheses of hermeneutics (Gadamer's hermeneutics in particular) than to understand it in relational terms, by bringing it into closer association with existentialism, pragmatism, critical theory, and postmodernism. Fairfield contends that there are important affinities and areas for critical exchange between hermeneutics and these four schools of thought which have, until now, remained underappreciated. Philosophical Hermeneutics Reinterpreted examines several of these connections by interpreting hermeneutics in relation to specific themes in the writings of key figures within each of these traditions. In so doing, he both clarifies some outstanding issues in hermeneutics and advances the subject beyond what Heidegger, Gadamer, and Ricoeur have given us. Hermeneutical Engagements......Page 10 Existentialism......Page 16 Perspectivism......Page 18 Reason as Boundless Communication......Page 36 The Thou and the Mass......Page 53 Pragmatism......Page 70 Truth After Correspondence......Page 72 The Theory of Inquiry......Page 90 Practice, Theory and Anti-Theory......Page 108 Critical Theory......Page 126 Interpretation and Criticism......Page 128 Deliberative Politics......Page 145 Discourse Ethics......Page 163 Postmodernism......Page 180 Genealogy and Suspicious Interpretation......Page 182 Radical Hermeneutics......Page 203 Unprincipled Judgements......Page 220 Notes......Page 240 Bibliography......Page 260 Index......Page 268 Perspectivism: Friedrich Nietzsche -- Reason As Boundless Communication: Karl Jaspers -- The Thou And The Mass: Gabriel Marcel -- Truth After Correspondence: William James -- The Theory Of Inquiry: John Dewey -- Practice, Theory, And Anti-theory: Richard Rorty -- Interpretation And Criticism: Max Horkheimer -- Deliberative Politics: Jürgen Habermas -- Discourse Ethics: Karl-otto Apel -- Genealogy And Suspicious Interpretation: Michel Foucault -- Radical Hermeneutics: John Caputo -- Unprincipled Judgments: Jean-françois Lyotard. Paul Fairfield.