A short introduction to a hermeneutical paradigm of science, based on the thoughts of Schleiermacher, Dilthey and Gadamer.

1. Philosophy of Science
Hermeneutics
Source: Beck Holm, Andreas (2013) Philosophie of Science,
Chapter 6 Hermeneutics, p. 83-100

2. Humanities vs. Natural science
• Human Science intends to obtain a deeper
understanding of human activity (e.g. 9/11) and the
products of human activity that contain meaning due to
the fact that they originate from intentionality.
• Natural science seek to explain natural phenomena
(e.g. Tzunami 2004) - lacking intentionality and meaning

3. Natural sciences
• Intends mainly to explain according to Dilthey
• The primary task of the natural sciences is to
arrive at law-based causal explanations
• The ressearcher is an objective and neutral
observer

4. Human sciences
• According to Dilthey Concerned with human
life and activity
• Intends mainly to understand and interpret
expressions of human activity

5. Based on Scleiermacher
• Understanding is a circular
never ending process
• The quality of the dialoque
between reader (interpreter)
and text is deepening the
horizons of understanding
• The scientific method is mainly
qualitative

6. The hermeneutic circle

7. Subject matter of human sciences
• Dilthey: All human sciences deal with human
thought, action, belief, will, fear and
aspiration
• Goal of hermeneutic acc. Dilthey is re-
experience

8. Gadamer
• No detached observer –
scientist
• We are part of a tradition, this
is our prerequisit for
understanding anything at all
• Understanding is about dealing
with the meeting between
prejudice and ”text” – or
scientist and subject

9. A new horizon for the antiquity
• Houses found with pornographic images,
interpreted to be brothels untill 2004
• New understanding is that in a society with
slaves sex was offered along side great dining
etc.
• So that is why it appears in so many houses in
Pompei and Herculanum
• Source: Harris, Judith (2007) Pompeii Awakened, I.B.Taurus, London

13. Fusion of
horizons
• Consists in creation
of a new
understanding which
results in the
preservation of both
horizons since they
form a synthesis
• Not reproducing
meaning but
producing a new
meaning

14. 7 principles of hermeneutic
• 7 principles to work with interpretation and
• Understanding principles securing the
scientific method
• 7 principles to use in a critical manner to
discuss the human aspect of a project

15. 7 principles
1. Continuously moving back and forth
2. The interpretation is done when a good
gestalt is reached
3. Testing the parts as I work with the subject
4. The autonomy of the subject
5. Knowledge in the subject
6. Consciousness about my own subjectivity
7. Every understanding is better understanding
Source: Kvale & Brinkmann (2014, 3rd edition) InterViews, SAGE
Box 12.2 Hermeutic Canons of interpretation p. 210-11

16. 1. Continuously moving back and forth
• A interaction between your pre-understanding
and your new understanding
• Your horizon is moving towards a fusion of
horizon but in interaction (dialogue) between
you and the subject

17. 2. The interpretation is done when a
good gestalt is reached
• It seems like an never ending process
• But when you stop meeting contradiction
between parts and the whole you’ve reached
a good gestalt.
• You’re approaching the truth

18. 3. Testing the parts as I work with the subject
• Don’t wait until hand-in time to test the parts
and small pieces of your interpretation
• Check with people with relevant knowledge
• Test your own understanding of the subject
with people engaging in the subject

19. 4. The autonomy of the subject
• Don’t try to project your own values and
beliefs into the subject
• Let the subject speak for it self and try to
interpret from your position

20. 5. Knowledge in the subject
• Gain as much knowledge as possible in the
subject
• Make sure that you are working effectively

21. 6. Consciousness about my own subjectivity
• Specify and outline your own pre-
understanding of the subject

22. 7. Every understanding is better
understanding
• The more you are working with the subject
the better your understanding gets
• Every understanding enlarges your horizon
• Every understanding gets you closer a fusion
of horizon with your subject

23. It is a different culture
• It’s important to have a pre-understanding
that different countries/cultures have
different values that if not properly
understood can imply mis-communication and
mis-interpretations.
• So the attention to culture in all phases of the
user research project can increase the quality
of the research and the validity of the results

24. Your turn: in-laws
• Interview each other in pairs of your first
impressions of your in-laws
• What was different. How was the culture
strange.
• Create an collage of this strange culture