Description
Book SynopsisProvides a comprehensive and critical account of Hans-Georg Gadamer's hermeneutical philosophy. Robert Dostal defends Gadamer against charges of linguistic idealism and emphasizes language's relationship to understanding, though he criticizes Gadamer for too often ignoring the role of the prelinguistic in our experience.
Trade ReviewRobert J. Dostal has written an illuminating and compelling book on one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century. He covers all the major topics in Gadamer’s work, providing not just clear and sensitive commentary, but a vigorous defense of Gadamer against both criticisms and misinterpretations. The book is destined to be a watershed in our understanding of hermeneutics as philosophy, as well as of Gadamer, especially his ‘civic humanism’ and his differences with his controversial teacher, Heidegger." —Robert B. Pippin, author of
Philosophy by Other Means: The Arts in Philosophy and Philosophy in the Arts"The ripe fruit of a diligent, life-long dialogue with Gadamer, which began in 1969, this clearly written book succeeds in bringing out the civic humanism of Gadamer’s philosophy, its intellectual roots and its relevance for our times." —Jean Grondin, author of
Hans-Georg Gadamer: A Biography"A tour de force! In this comprehensive study Dostal not only let us see how Gadamer was inspired by Heidegger, but also where their differences—philosophical and political—lie. He also sets Gadamer’s reappropriation of Plato and Aristotle, his aesthetics, and understanding of the central role of 'the word' in the context of contemporary discussions of language and phenomenology." —Catherine Zuckert, author of
Postmodern Platos: Nietzsche, Heidegger, Gadamer, Strauss, DerridaTable of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- 1. Gadamers’s Ambivalence Toward the Enlightenment Project
- 2. Humanism and Politics: Gadamer’s Humanism in the Face of Heidegger’s Anti-humanism
- 3. Saving Plato from Platonism
- 4. From Bildung to Bild: Gadamer’s Aesthetics
- 5. Language and Understanding
- 6. Hermeneutics and Science
- 7. Between Phenomenology and Dialectic
- 8. Concluding Remarks: The Conversation that We Are—Solidarity
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
