Textual hermeneutics, interpretive responsibility and the objectification and interpretation of action : Paul Ricoeur and 'the model of the text'
In this thesis I develop a critical but sympathetic reading of Paul Ricoeurâs textual model of interpretation as it is presented in his 1971 essay âThe Model of the Text: Meaningful Action Considered as a Textâ. My reading of Ricoeurâs essay aims to clarify some of the strengths and limitations of his project in âThe Model of the Textâ, and to develop the analogy between text and action in directions left largely undeveloped by Ricoeur. In particular, I argue that hermeneutic philosophy can help us elucidate the validity of interpretive claims in the human and social sciences, and also to understand the role of the objectification of action in ensuring this validity. The fixation of action as an object of inquiry opens up the possibility for interpreters to hold themselves at a distance from their pre-reflective judgements regarding the meaning of action. This allows interpreters to reflect critically upon action and to arbitrate between competing interpretations. Furthermore, the textual model allows us to recognise the description and objectification of action as an active and constitutive dimension of interpretive activity in the human and social sciences. My argument proceeds by engaging in
Standen, David J.
Textual hermeneutics, interpretive responsibility and the objectification and interpretation of action : Paul Ricoeur and 'the model of the text'. In this thesis I develop a critical but sympathetic reading of Paul Ricoeurâs textual model of interpretation as it is presented in his 1971 essay âThe Model of the Text: Meaningful Action Considered as a Textâ. My reading of Ricoeurâs essay aims to clarify some of the strengths and limitations of his project in âThe Model of the Textâ, and to develop the analogy between text and action in directions left largely undeveloped by Ricoeur. In particular, I argue that hermeneutic philosophy can help us elucidate the validity of interpretive claims in the human and social sciences, and also to understand the role of the objectification of action in ensuring this validity. The fixation of action as an object of inquiry opens up the possibility for interpreters to hold themselves at a distance from their pre-reflective judgements regarding the meaning of action. This allows interpreters to reflect critically upon action and to arbitrate between competing interpretations. Furthermore, the textual model allows us to recognise the description and objectification of action as an active and constitutive dimension of interpretive activity in the human and social sciences. My argument proceeds by engaging in
textual hermeneutics interpretive responsibility objectification interpretation action paul_ricoeur the model text develop critical sympathetic reading paul_ricoeur textual model interpretation present essay model text meaningful action considered text read ricoeur essay aim_clarify strengths limitation project model text develop analogy text action direction leave largely undeveloped ricoeur particular argue hermeneutic philosophy help elucidate validity interpretive claim human social_science also role objectification action ensure validity action object inquiry open_possibility interpreter hold distance pre reflective judgement regard mean action allow interpreter reflect critically upon action compete interpretation furthermore textual model allow recognise description objectification action active constitutive dimension interpretive activity human social_science argument proceeds engage