Hermeneutics is the methodology and art of interpreting texts. This direction in philosophy appeared in the twentieth century. Hermeneutics is based on the theory of interpretation of literary texts.
Main models
1. The character’s position is highlighted. In this model, the author’s task is to show the character from all sides. There are two options: the general meanings inherent in the described era are embedded in the text, or the work has an intrinsic semantic grid, which is emphasized by the author.
2. The author’s position is highlighted. In this model, the author constantly reasones and analyzes taking into account his semantic hierarchy. He needs a character in order to convey his point of view or concept to the reader.
3. The position of the reader is dominant. In this model, the semantic field of the text is focused on the reader. The choice of character and its presentation are made taking into account the tastes of the reader, his preferences and level of intelligence.
Thus, hermeneutics is a multidimensional systemic relationship of the character, its presentation, perception and understanding. And the hermeneutic circle makes possible the designation and qualitative fulfillment of the main connections and levels of these relations.
Hermeneutics of Gadamer
The concept of “hermeneutics” from the point of view of Gadamer is based on a critical assessment of the traditions of European rationalism in its desire to develop the foundations of Greek thought with the help of such expressed concepts as “nus” and “logos”. "Nus" begins a centuries-old series of thoughts on the relationship of thought and being. Such thinking provided the basis for modern science even more than methodological texts. At the same time, the “logos” unites all directions of thinking that involve the study of numbers, ratios and proportions, and ascribe to the world itself certain properties of the logos.
For Gadamer, hermeneutics is a method of consent. For a long time, the main goal of this philosophical trend was to reach agreement or restore it. For understanding, it is important not the mysterious communication of souls among themselves, but their involvement in a common sense.
Hermeneutics method
Druzhinin V.N., having analyzed the hermeneutic method in the interpretations of Gadamer, Demer, Dilthey and others, concluded that understanding is used when it is necessary to study a non-natural unique object and obtain its evaluation as a result of the process.
In every work of art, a professional psychologist sees his creator and his value-semantic sphere. Whether it is a score, text, musical work or the artist’s canvas, there is a huge desire to understand not only universally valid formulas, but also to penetrate the author’s semantic world. Hermeneutics is exactly the direction that seeks the key to this understanding. Schleermacher, who is the ancestor of the hermeneutic trend, put forward the main goal of the method - the transition from their own thoughts to those that the writers want to convey. He also divided the interpretation of texts into two types: psychological and philosophical understanding.