'Wahrheit und Methode' by Gadamer. Critical Interaction with a Philosophical Hermeneutics

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject Theology - Systematic Theology, grade: 14 von 20 Punkten, Evangelical Theological Faculty, language: English, abstract: What is truth? This question raised by Pilatus to Jesus does not only bother theological scholars ever since, but also philosophical thinkers. This paper examines how one of the most important German philosophers of the 20th century, Hans Georg Gadamer, dealt with the issue of truth within his hermeneutical main work 'Wahrheit und Methode.' Even one of his critics, E.G. Hirsch admits: 'Hans Georg Gadamer has published the most substantial treatise on hermeneutic theory that has come from Germany this century.' After the presentation of his main thesis, which can only be done in a rough overview, an evangelical response will be worked out. This main task of the paper will deal with the question how Gadamer´s ideas can be adopted in an apologetics within a postmodern framework. Aiming at a balanced evalutation both helpful and difficult aspects will be highlighted. A short conclusion bundling up the most important results will round of the paper.