DISCIPLINE IN

SOCIAL SCIENCES
Hermeneutical Phenomenology
“What is data? How can we define the
word data?”
◦ Data is anything “given”.
◦ Data is measured, collected and reported, and analyzed,
whereupon it can be visualized using graphs, images or other
analysis tools.
◦ Data as a general concept refers to the fact that some existing
information or knowledge is represented or coded in some form
suitable for better usage or processing.
“IN THE PREVIOUS
ACTIVITY, WHAT
CAN WE CONSIDER
AS DATA?”
“What is hermeneutics? How is it
defined?”
◦ Hermeneutics is interpreting data.
◦ In the study of literary texts, scholars frequently adhere to a set
of rules or a specific system on which to base their
interpretation. Similarly, the interpretation of non-literary texts,
such as art or philosophy, may also require adherence to such a
method. The specific rules used to interpret and understand a
text are known collectively as hermeneutics.
◦In ancient Greek mythology, the god Hermes served
to interpret messages from the other gods. Like
Hermes’ name, the term hermeneutics comes from
the Greek word for “interpreter”. The concept of
utilizing a system to interpret text was first noted in
early writings by Aristotle.
“IN THE PREVIOUS
ACTIVITY, DID WE
DO
HERMENEUTICS?
HOW?”
“What is phenomenology?”
◦ Phenomenology is the philosophical study of the structures of
experience and consciousness.
◦ It invites us to be open to the variety of experiences.
◦ Phenomenology is the study of “phenomena”: appearances of
things, or things as they appear in our experience, or the ways we
experience things, thus the meanings things have in .our
experience
Hermeneutic Phenomenology
◦is “the study of experience together with its meanings”
◦It is impossible to investigate experience without at the same
time inquiring into its meaning; it is likewise impossible to
analyze meaning without being grounded on experience.
◦As an approach, hermeneutic phenomenology represents an
“attitude or disposition of sensitivity and openness: it is a
matter of openness to everyday, experienced meanings as
opposed to theoretical ones”
Application: “Think of a concrete situation
involving someone you dislike or have
difficulty understanding in your immediate
family, among your schoolmates / teachers,
or among public figures. What if you were
this person trying to explain him/herself to
people who don’t understand him/her?
What would you say? You are given three
minutes to write a letter.” (20 minutes)