On Gadamer

This brief text assists students in understanding Gadamer's philosophy and thinking so that they can more fully engage in useful, intelligent class dialogue and improve their understanding of course content. Part of the "Wadsworth Philosophers Series," (which will eventually consist of approximately 100 titles, each focusing on a single "thinker" from ancient times to the present), ON GADAMER is written by a philosopher deeply versed in the philosophy of this key thinker. Like other books in the series, this concise book offers sufficient insight into the thinking of a notable philosopher better enabling students to engage in the reading and to discuss the material in class and on paper.

This small, simple, concise overview of the German philosopher, Hans- Georg Gadamer (b. 1900) is geared toward a high school level readers and above. Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics are explained, as well as the philosopher's conceptions of experiencing art, history, and language. An overarching theme in Gadamer, who wrote in his autobiography, "I want to be quiet about myself," is a sense of self-effacement brought about by a series of apprenticeships (one with Heidegger). Gadamer, says Johnson (philosophy, U. of Dayton) believes that who we are is largely due to our contacts with and responses to others, less the result of some intrinsic nature. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR