Naturalistic Hermeneutics

Naturalistic Hermeneutics proposes the position of the unity of the scientific method and defends it against the claim to autonomy of the human sciences. Mantzavinos shows how materials that are \'meaningful\', more specifically human actions and texts, can be adequately dealt with by the hypothetico-deductive method, the standard method used in the natural sciences. The hermeneutic method is not an alternative method aimed at the understanding and the interpretation of human actions and texts, but it is the same as the hypothetico-deductive method applied to meaningful materials. The central thesis advocated by Mantzavinos is, thus, that there is no fundamental methodological difference between natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Advanced students and professionals across philosophy, social and political theory, and the humanities will find this a compelling and controversial book.

• It contains a critique of Gadamer and of philosophical hermeneutics in general and offers an alternative to the standard hermeneutical view • It also offers an alternative to the hermeneutic approach, specifically for the social sciences • Presents an alternative to books by Taylor and Geertz

Part I. Hermeneutic Dead-ends: 1. The claim to autonomy of the human sciences; 2. The hermeneutic circle and the paralysis of thought; 3. The claim to universality of philosophical hermeneutics; Part II. Hermeneutic Ways Out: 4. The problematic of meaning: the naturalistic way out; 5. The apprehension of the meaning of actions. 6. The apprehension of the meaning of texts; Epilogue.

‘Since the Second World War, German hermeneutic philosophy has achieved great influence, not only in Europe, but also in Anglo-Saxon countries. Mantzavinos has subjected this tradition to an in-depth and sweeping critique, and, beyond that, developed a naturalistic hermeneutics, which is capable of adequately solving problems of meaning. This book is the most important new contribution to the analysis of these problems that I have read thus far. It is indispensable for any seminar on the problems of hermeneutics.’

– Hans Albert, Heidelberg

‘I took pleasure in Mantzavinos\' approach to Dilthey, Heidegger and Gadamer: he contrasts what they promise with what they deliver. This paves the way for the constructive part of the book, where the hypothetic-deductive method is applied to explain action and interpret texts. A convincing case is thereby made for the book\'s main conclusion: that although there are many differences between the social sciences, the humanities and the natural sciences, they all share the use of a method that was first employed in the natural sciences. Hence the title Naturalistic Hermeneutics.’

– Dagfinn Føllesdal, Oslo and Stanford

‘The book is of course something of a polemic: a defense of the unity of the sciences against the objections of humanists and others. Naturalistic Hermeneutics says that social life, including the meaning of events and actions, is quite manageable in a hypothetico-deductive manner. The book will be of great interest to philosophers of the social sciences, as well as social scientists generally.’

– Ian Jarvie, York University, Toronto