Horizons of Hermeneutics: Intercultural Hermeneutics in a Globalizing World

Abstract

Starting from the often-used metaphor of the "horizon of experience" this article discusses three different types of intercultural hermeneutics, which respectively conceive hermeneutic interpretation as a widening of horizons, a fusion of horizons, and a dissemination of horizons. It is argued that these subsequent stages in the history of hermeneutics have their origin in-but are not fully restricted to-respectively premodern, modern and postmodern stages of globalization. Taking some striking moments of the encounter between Western and Chinese language and philosophy as example, the particular merits and flaws of these three types of hermeneutics are being discussed. The claim defended is that although these different types of hermeneutics are mutually exclusive from a theoretical point of view, as interpreting beings in the current era we depend on each of these distinct hermeneutic practices and cannot avoid living them simultaneously.

When Philosophers Discuss History: The Thoughts of Hermeneutic Philosophers in Examining History

“…Dilthey believed that the development of universal hermeneutics called for epistemological principles that could support the progress of social sciences. Overall, Dilthey endeavored to create a distinct boundary between social and natural sciences while establishing methods and rules governing the objectivity and validity unique to each scientific realm (Mul, 2011).…”