This academic excerpt delves into the foundational role of hermeneutics—the theory of interpretation—in shaping practical theology, primarily through the lenses of Gadamer, Ricoeur, and Habermas. It first explores Hans-Georg Gadamer's ideas, emphasizing that all understanding is historically situated and influenced by "pre-understandings," leading to a "fusion of horizons" between interpreter and text, and that "application" is integral to the act of understanding. Paul Ricoeur's contribution introduces a three-stage "hermeneutical arc" of understanding, explanation, and deeper understanding, advocating for a "hermeneutics of suspicion" to critically uncover hidden biases while also embracing the "world-of-the-text." Finally, Jürgen Habermas's perspective critically challenges Gadamer's perceived lack of critique, proposing "communicative action" as a means to achieve rational consensus and promoting "emancipatory praxis" to confront ideological distortions within tradition. Collectively, these philosophers equip practical theology with a multifaceted approach to interpreting religious texts and experiences, fostering both appreciation for tradition and a critical, transformative engagement with contemporary realities.
This is a book review or commentary on an academic subject with content curated by Ivelisse Valentin-Vera and recorded with the power of NotebookLM to ensure every AI generated conversation is accurate, deep and accessible, and does not represent the opinion of the authors.
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