Hermeneutics of Recollection: Gadamer and Ricoeur

Aleksandar Ostojić

doi:10.2298/FID2104714O

Authors

Aleksandar Ostojić Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Economy, Subotica

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/FID2104714O

Keywords:

recollection, Death, temporal distance, representation, presence, understanding

Abstract

This paper analyzes the notion of recollection in Hans Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur’s thought, in the context of time distance as “obstacles” towards understanding the past. Particular attention is paid to the understanding the phenomenon of “Death” as a time gap between the past and the present. In connection with this problem, we find efforts of philosophical hermeneutics on the one hand and historicism on the other. Differences between historicism and hermeneutics can be outlined in relation to the role that memory plays in the process of understanding in Gadamer and Ricoeur. What does Death mean in terms of understanding for history, and what for hermeneutics? How can we understand temporal distance? Is it possible and necessary to overcome it? What is the role of recollection and how does it participate in understanding? – these are some of the main issues that will be addressed in the text. Finally, the task of the text is to offer the meaning and significance of the hermeneutics of recollection in relation to the mentioned questions, through the interaction of the thoughts of the two authors.

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