Truth and Method

Hans-Georg Gadamer's Truth and Method (1960) is a foundational work in philosophical hermeneutics. Gadamer, influenced by thinkers like Martin Heidegger, developed a system of interpretation that emphasizes the historical context of understanding.12

He argued against the idea of a single, objective interpretation, stating that understanding is always shaped by the interpreter's historical situatedness. Gadamer proposed that interpretation involves a "dialogue" between the interpreter and the text or subject, leading to a "fusion of horizons" between the present and the past. This process means that interpretation is inherently ongoing and without a final, definitive goal. Gadamer's work challenges Enlightenment views that dismiss tradition and "prejudice," instead highlighting their role in shaping our understanding.2