Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina 2017, 19(1):59-63 | DOI: 10.26552/com.C.2017.1.59-63

Ethics and Natural Science through Paul Ricoeur's Hermeneutics

Janez Vodicar1
1 Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenija

Paul Ricoeur's well-known perspective on philosophical hermeneutics could also be applied in the understanding of natural sciences. This should resemble dialectic between explanation and understanding, which would enable the kind of objectivity that is claimed in all areas of science. Therefore, science could be viewed as an epistemological activity focused on modeling and confirmation of theory, as well as a theoretical practice that operates alongside other technological, ethical, and political practices. From epistemological perspective we will look for a role of hermeneutics in natural science. Explanation and understanding connect natural science with hermeneutics. Through a narrative position of Ricoeur's hermeneutics, we can understand the connection between science and its responsibility.

Keywords: natural science; hermeneutics; Paul Ricoeur; narrative; subject of responsibility

Published: January 31, 2017  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Vodicar, J. (2017). Ethics and Natural Science through Paul Ricoeur's Hermeneutics. Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina19(1), 59-63. doi: 10.26552/com.C.2017.1.59-63
Download citation

References

  1. SOKAL, A. BRICMONT, J.: Fashionable Nonsense Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science. New York: Picador, 1998. ISBN 0-312-19445-1.
  2. REYNHOUT, K. A.: Interdisciplinary Interpretation: Paul Ricoeur and the Hermeneutics of Theology and Science. Lanham: Boulder : New York: Lexington Books, 2013. ISBN 978-1-4985-1587-0.
  3. REAGAN, CH. E.: Paul Ricoeur His Life and his Work. Chicago, London: The University of Chicago Press, 1996. ISBN 0-226-70603-6.
  4. RICOEUR, P.: The Conflict of Interpretations. Essays in Hermeneutics. Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1974. ISBN 978-0-8264-7709-5.
  5. VAN DEN HENGEL, J. W.: The Home of Meaning. The Hermeneutics of the Subject of Paul Ricoeur. Washington: University Press of America, 1982. ISBN 0-8191-2603-9.
  6. RICOEUR, P.: Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences: Essays on Language, Action and Interpretation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981. ISBN 1-107-14497-3. Go to original source...
  7. WESTPHAL, M.: Whose Community? Whose Interpretation? Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009. ISBN 978-0-8010-3147-2.
  8. JUROVA, J.: On Etzioni's Concept of a Responsive Community. European J. of Science and Theology, vol. 12, No. 3, 2016, 71-80. ISSN 1841-0464.
  9. RICOEUR, P.: Ethics and Culture: Habermas and Gadamer in Dialogue. In: Political and Social Essays. Ed. David Stewart and Joseph Bien. Athens: Ohio University Press, 1974. ISBN 0-8214-0169-6.
  10. KLUN, B.: Distinction by Marion between Idol and Icon and the Question of Hermeneutics (in Slovenian). Bogoslovni vestnik - Theological Quarterly, vol. 76, No. 1, 2016, 25-35. ISSN 0006-5722
  11. CHANGEUX, J.-P., RICOEUR, P.: What Makes Us Think? A Neuroscientist and a Philosopher Argue about Ethics. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0-691-09285-0.
  12. KONDRLA, M., PAVLIKOVA, M. From formal ethics to existential ethics. European J. of Science and Theology, vol. 12, No. 3, 2016, 101-111. ISSN 1841-0464.
  13. KONDRLA, P., KRALIK, R.: Authentic being and moral conscience. European J. of Science and Theology, vol. 12, No. 4, 2016, 155-164. ISSN 1841-0464.
  14. VALCO, M., KRALIK, R. & BARRETT, L.: Moral implications of Augustine's philosophical and spiritual journey in his confessions. Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, vol. 17, No. 2, 2015, 103-108. ISSN 1335-4205. Go to original source...
  15. BARBOUR, I. G.: Issues in Science and Religion. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1966. ISBN 0-334-00737-2.
  16. Compare with: HANES, P. & MASARIK, M.: Complementarity of Science and Theology. European J. of Science and Theology, vol. 12, No. 6, 2016, 5-20. ISSN 1841-0464.
  17. RICOEUR, P.: The Rule of Metaphor. Toronto, Buffalo, London: University of Toronto Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8020-6447-7.
  18. VAN HUYSSTEEN, W. J.: Theology and the Justification of Faith: Constructing Theories in Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 1989. ISBN 0-8028-0266-0.
  19. RICOEUR, P.: Interpretation Theory: Discourse and the Surplus of Meaning. Fort Worth: Texas Christian University Press, 1976. ISBN 0-912646-59-4.
  20. RICOEUR, P.: The Symbolism of Evil. Boston: Beacon Press, 1967. ISBN 0-8070-1567-9.
  21. THOMSON, J. B.: Critical Hermeneutics. A study in the thought of Paul Ricoeur and Jurgen Habermas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0-521-27666-5.
  22. VALCO, M.: The roots and nature of Luther's theological understanding of 'Missio Dei' in the Context of Reformation agenda. European J. of Science and Theology, vol. 12, No. 4, 2016, 181-188. ISSN 1841-0464.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.