Relativism and Intentionalism in Interpretation: Davidson, Hermeneutics, and Pragmatism

by Kalle Puolakka

Overview

The question of the relativity of interpretations and the relevance of the author's intentions for interpretation has been at the center of controversy for the past century in different philosophical traditions, but there has been very little effort to examine the different ways this question has been addressed in contemporary philosophy within the space of a single book. Relativism and Intentionalism in Interpretation. Davidson, Hermeneutics, and Pragmatism brings diverse philosophical viewpoints to bear on these issues, addressing them through analytic philosophy, hermeneutics, and pragmatism. Kalle Puolakka develops a view of interpretation drawing on Donald Davidson's late philosophy of language and mind defending the role of authorial intentions against criticisms intentionalist views have received particularly in hermeneutics and pragmatism. In addition to relativism and intentionalism, the book discusses such issues as the role of imagination and aesthetic experience in interpretation, and it presents a thorough critique of hermeneutic conceptions of interpretation which emphasize the essential historical nature of our understanding. Relativism and Intentionalism in Interpretation shows how it is possible to combine a pluralistic attitude towards art without resurrecting the role of the author's intentions in interpretation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739150801
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	07/07/2011
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Kalle Puolakka is postdoctoral researcher of aesthetics at the Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Helsinki.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction 1

1 Does Joseph Margolis's Defense of Relativism Fall into an Impasse? 11

2 From Humpty Dumpty to James Joyce: Donald Davidson's Late Philosophy and the Question of Intention 39

3 A New Look at Hermeneutic Criticisms of Intentionalism 85

4 Richard Rorty's Pragmatist Challenge to Intentionalism 131

5 Conclusions: How to Be a Pluralist without Being a Relativist 169

Bibliography 179

Index 187

About the Author 191

Editorial Reviews

A wide-ranging, carefully conducted study that should interest a wide range of philosophers of art, language, and culture, especially those concerned with the bridge-building efforts of Margolis, Rorty, Gadamer and others. The author's guiding aim is to show how Davidson’s later ideas on interpretation can serve as a basis for a form of objectivism about interpretation in both conversational and literary contexts, and as a bulwark against strong forms of relativism and historicism, while yet allowing for reasonable pluralism as regards both conversational and literary meanings.

Jerrold Levinson

A wide-ranging, carefully conducted study that should interest a wide range of philosophers of art, language, and culture, especially those concerned with the bridge-building efforts of Margolis, Rorty, Gadamer and others. The author's guiding aim is to show how Davidson's later ideas on interpretation can serve as a basis for a form of objectivism about interpretation in both conversational and literary contexts, and as a bulwark against strong forms of relativism and historicism, while yet allowing for reasonable pluralism as regards both conversational and literary meanings.--Jerrold Levinson, University of Maryland, College Park

From the Publisher