The Work of Hermeneutic Phenomenology

This paper illustrates how a hermeneutic phenomenological study is conducted, drawing on philosophical hermeneutics and the work of Gadamer and Heidegger. It explains key concepts such as the fusion of horizons, hermeneutic understanding, the hermeneutic circle, and the hermeneutic phenomenological attitude, and shows how these were implemented in practice. The authors argue that hermeneutic phenomenological work is detailed, lengthy, rigorous, and systematic within its own philosophical and theoretical framework. The paper aims to provide practical guidance and a fully worked example of this approach as research praxis. It concludes by sharing reflections and insights on the hermeneutic phenomenological process.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper is an illustration of the application of a hermeneutic phenomenological study. The theory of meaning and interpretation, drawing on philosophical hermeneutics and the work of Gadamer and Heidegger, and its alignment with phenomenological thought is presented. The paper explains and aims to make visible how key concerns in relation to the fusion of horizons, hermeneutic understanding, hermeneutic circle and hermeneutic phenomenological attitude were implemented. The purpose is to provide practical guidance and illustrate a fully worked up example of hermeneutic phenomenological work as research praxis. This present paper makes a case that hermeneutic phenomenological work is detailed, lengthy, rigorous and systematic in its own philosophical and theoretical frame. It articulates the philosophical and methodological alignment of hermeneutics in a specific hermeneutic phenomenological study and makes visible the work of hermeneutic phenomenology. It concludes by sharing key reflections and insights on the hermeneutic phenomenological process.