Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Writing: Writing is a method of communication and expression using symbols or characters to convey language, thoughts, or information onto a surface. See also Messages, Texts, Literature, Historiography, Cultural tradition, Culture, Communication, Information, Reading, Speaking._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Hans-Georg Gadamer on Writing - Dictionary of Arguments
I 393 Writing/Scripture/Gadamer: In the form of scripture, all that is handed down is simultaneous for each present. In it, there is a unique coexistence of past and present, insofar as the present consciousness has free access to all that has been handed down in writing. No longer dependent on the passing on of the news of the past with the present, but in direct contact with literary tradition, the understanding consciousness gains a real possibility to shift and expand its horizon and thus it enriches its world with a whole dimension of depth. >Horizon/Gadamer. I 394 Written tradition is not a part of a past world, but has always risen above it into the sphere of the meaning it expresses. It is the ideality of the word that elevates all that is linguistic above the finite and transitory destiny that is otherwise the preserve of remnants of a past existence. Bearer: The bearer of the tradition is not this manuscript as a piece from back then, but the continuity of memory. Through it the tradition becomes a part of the own world, and so what it communicates is able to come directly to speech. I 395 Reading consciousness is necessary historical consciousness and communicates freely with historical tradition. It is therefore justified if, like Hegel, the beginning of history is equated with the emergence of a will to tradition, to the "duration of memory"(1). Textuality is not a mere coincidence or a mere addition that did not qualitatively change the progress of oral tradition. I 396 That (...) language can be textual is by no means secondary to the nature of language. Rather, this ability to be written is based on the fact that speaking itself is based on the pure ideality of the sense that communicates itself in it. In writing, this sense of the spoken word is there purely for itself, completely detached from all emotional moments of expression and announcement. A text does not want to be understood as an expression of life, but in what it says. Writing is the abstract ideality of language. The meaning of a written record is therefore basically identifiable and repeatable. That which is identical in repetition alone is what was really laid down in the written record. This also makes it clear that repetition cannot be meant here in the strict sense. It does not mean a reference back to an original first in which something is said or written, as such. Understanding in reading is not a repetition of something past, but participation in a present meaning. 1. Hegel, Die Vernunft in der Geschichte (Lasson), S. 145._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Gadamer I Hans-Georg Gadamer Wahrheit und Methode. Grundzüge einer philosophischen Hermeneutik 7. durchgesehene Auflage Tübingen 1960/2010 Gadamer II H. G. Gadamer The Relevance of the Beautiful, London 1986 German Edition: Die Aktualität des Schönen: Kunst als Spiel, Symbol und Fest Stuttgart 1977 |