Technologies in practice : Paul Ricoeur and the hermeneutics of technique
The problem that this thesis seeks to address is the hermeneutic tension between practical reason and technology. According to hermeneutics, the types of knowledge associated with practical understanding incorporate questions of the self and lived experience. In contrast, the types of knowledge and capability associated with modern technology are independent of questions of self-understanding. Technical approaches to practical dilemmas produce generalizable, detachable solutions, thereby disavowing the central role of hermeneutic appropriation in the process of understanding meaning. If a technology works in the same way across different contexts and applications, the notion of an interpreting, appropriating self seems superfluous to the question of technology. However, following an analysis of Paul Ricoeurâs distinctive understandings of hermeneutic distanciation, appropriation, and technique, I argue that technologies can become objects of hermeneutic engagement once we recognize their variable and uncertain nature at the practical level. Using Ricoeurâs conception of the productive circle between distanciation and belonging, the alienating distances associated with technologies can be re-read as moments
Carney, Eoin
Philosophy ; Technology ; Hermeneutics ; Ricoeur ; Technique ; Psychoanalysis
Technologies in practice : Paul Ricoeur and the hermeneutics of technique. The problem that this thesis seeks to address is the hermeneutic tension between practical reason and technology. According to hermeneutics, the types of knowledge associated with practical understanding incorporate questions of the self and lived experience. In contrast, the types of knowledge and capability associated with modern technology are independent of questions of self-understanding. Technical approaches to practical dilemmas produce generalizable, detachable solutions, thereby disavowing the central role of hermeneutic appropriation in the process of understanding meaning. If a technology works in the same way across different contexts and applications, the notion of an interpreting, appropriating self seems superfluous to the question of technology. However, following an analysis of Paul Ricoeurâs distinctive understandings of hermeneutic distanciation, appropriation, and technique, I argue that technologies can become objects of hermeneutic engagement once we recognize their variable and uncertain nature at the practical level. Using Ricoeurâs conception of the productive circle between distanciation and belonging, the alienating distances associated with technologies can be re-read as moments
practice paul_ricoeur hermeneutics technique problem seek_address hermeneutic tension practical_reason technology according hermeneutics type knowledge associate practical incorporate question self lived_experience contrast type knowledge capability associate modern_technology independent question self_understanding technical approach practical dilemma produce solution thereby central_role hermeneutic appropriation process meaning technology work way across_different context application notion interpreting appropriate self seem question technology however follow analysis paul_ricoeur distinctive understanding hermeneutic appropriation technique argue technology become object hermeneutic engagement recognize variable uncertain nature practical level using ricoeur conception productive circle belonging alienate distance associate technology read moment