Natural science and philosophical hermeneutics, an exploration of understanding in the thought of Werner Heisenberg and Hans Georg Gadamer
Loading...
Date
1997-05-01T00:00:00Z
Authors
Smith, Lisa-Madeline
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The late modern view that science and he humanities, including the study of religion, occupy separate territories and pursue different aims persists to this day. The purpose of this work is to add to the growing discussion which seeks to reconnect the natural sciences and the humanities through an exploration of the theories of understanding offered by physicist Werner Heisenberg and philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer. As it is guided by general principles of authentic dialogue, this exploration unfolds important correspondences between those theories with regard to human nature and the nature of the world around us. The significance of this rests on the fact that their respective theories have different points of origin: Heisenberg's theory has its basis in the world of science, and Gadamer's theory isolates itself from any connection to that world. The investigation concludes that the natural sciences and the human sciences share essentially the same scope: both lead t an understanding of that reality and truth which underlies all differentiation of human interest.