Fusion of horizons: Difference between revisions
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In the philosophy of [[Hans-Georg Gadamer]], a '''fusion of horizons''' ({{langx|de|Horizontverschmelzung}}) is the process through which the members of a hermeneutical dialogue establish the broader context within which they come to a shared understanding. |
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{{citation style|date=August 2018}} |
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"'''Fusion of horizons'''" ({{lang-de|Horizontverschmelzung}}) is a [[dialectic]]al concept which results from the rejection of two alternatives: [[Objectivity (philosophy)|objectivism]], whereby the objectification of the other is premised on the forgetting of oneself; and [[absolute knowledge]], according to which universal history can be articulated within a single horizon. Therefore, it argues that we exist neither in closed horizons, nor within a horizon that is unique. |
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In [[Phenomenology (philosophy)|phenomenology]], a horizon refers to the context within which of any meaningful [[Presentation (philosophy)|presentation]] is contained. For Gadamer, we exist neither in closed horizons, nor within a horizon that is unique; we must reject both the assumption of [[absolute knowledge]], that universal history can be articulated within a single horizon, and the assumption of [[Objectivity and subjectivity|objectivity]], that we can "forget ourselves" in order to achieve an objective perspective of the other participant. |
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People come from different backgrounds and it is not possible to totally remove oneself from one's background, history, culture, gender, language, education, etc. to an entirely different system of attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/gadamer/#HapTra Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Hans-George Gadamer, Sect. 3.2: The Happening of Tradition]</ref> People may be looking for a way to be engaged in understanding a conversation or dialogue about different cultures and the speaker interprets texts or stories based on his or her past experience and prejudice. Therefore, "[[hermeneutic]] reflection and determination of one's own present life interpretation calls for the unfolding of one's 'effective-historical' consciousness."<ref>Herda (1999:63)</ref> During the discourse, a fusion of "horizons" takes place between the speaker and listeners. |
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According to Gadamer, since it is not possible to totally remove oneself from one's own broader context, (e.g. the background, history, culture, gender, language, education, etc.) to an entirely different system of attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking,{{sfn|Malpas|2003|loc=3.2}} in order to be able to gain an understanding from a conversation or dialogue about different cultures we must acquire "the right horizon of inquiry for the questions evoked by the encounter with tradition."<ref>{{cite book|last=Gadamer|first=Hans-Georg|translator-last=Weinsheimer|translator-first=Joel|translator-last2=Marshall|translator-first2=Donald G.|title=Truth and Method|edition=revised 2nd|place=London and New York|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|year=2013|isbn=978-1-7809-3624-6}}</ref> through negotiation; in order to come to an agreement, the participants must establish a shared context through this "fusion" of their horizons.{{sfn|Malpas|2003|loc=3.2}} |
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==Horizons to be fused== |
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[[Hans-Georg Gadamer|Gadamer]] defines a horizon as follows: |
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<blockquote>Every finite present has its limitations. We define the concept of "situation" by saying that it represents a standpoint that limits the possibility of vision. Hence essential to the concept of situation is the concept of "''horizon''." The horizon is the range of vision that includes everything that can be seen from a particular vantage point. ... A person who has no horizon is a man who does not see far enough and hence over-values what is nearest to him. On the other hand, "to have an horizon" means not being limited to what is nearby but being able to see beyond it. ... [W]orking out the hermeneutical situation means acquiring the right horizon of inquiry for the questions evoked by the encounter with tradition.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gadamer|first=Hans-Georg|translator-last=Weinsheimer|translator-first=Joel|translator-last2=Marshall|translator-first2=Donald G.|title=Truth and Method|edition=revised 2nd|place=London and New York|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|year=2013|isbn=978-1-7809-3624-6}}</ref></blockquote> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Horizon of expectation]] |
* [[Horizon of expectation]] |
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* [[Perspectivism]] |
* [[Perspectivism]] |
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* [[Thesis, antithesis, synthesis]] |
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== |
==Notes== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==References== |
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*{{cite SEP| url-id=gadamer| title=Hans-Georg Gadamer| author-last1=Malpas| author-first1=Jeff| date=2003}} |
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[[Category:Concepts in epistemology]] |
[[Category:Concepts in epistemology]] |
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[[Category:Hans-Georg Gadamer]] |
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[[Category:Hermeneutics]] |
[[Category:Hermeneutics]] |
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[[Category:Social epistemology]] |
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Latest revision as of 21:10, 3 November 2024
In the philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer, a fusion of horizons (German: Horizontverschmelzung) is the process through which the members of a hermeneutical dialogue establish the broader context within which they come to a shared understanding.
In phenomenology, a horizon refers to the context within which of any meaningful presentation is contained. For Gadamer, we exist neither in closed horizons, nor within a horizon that is unique; we must reject both the assumption of absolute knowledge, that universal history can be articulated within a single horizon, and the assumption of objectivity, that we can "forget ourselves" in order to achieve an objective perspective of the other participant.
According to Gadamer, since it is not possible to totally remove oneself from one's own broader context, (e.g. the background, history, culture, gender, language, education, etc.) to an entirely different system of attitudes, beliefs and ways of thinking,[1] in order to be able to gain an understanding from a conversation or dialogue about different cultures we must acquire "the right horizon of inquiry for the questions evoked by the encounter with tradition."[2] through negotiation; in order to come to an agreement, the participants must establish a shared context through this "fusion" of their horizons.[1]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b Malpas 2003, 3.2.
- ^ Gadamer, Hans-Georg (2013). Truth and Method. Translated by Weinsheimer, Joel; Marshall, Donald G. (revised 2nd ed.). London and New York: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-7809-3624-6.
References
[edit]- Malpas, Jeff (2003). "Hans-Georg Gadamer". In Zalta, Edward N. (ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
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