Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other

Gadamers Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other examines the ethical dimensions of understanding by focusing on Gadamers concept of "play" as it is developed in his magnum opus Truth and Method. Monica Vilhauer argues for the global relevance of play in Gadamers philosophical hermeneutics by revealing play as the key concept that depicts the process of all understandingthat is the dynamic dialogical and interpretive process by which interlocutors come to grasp a common subject matter together. Through the lens of dialogue-play the book focuses on openness toward ones dialogue partner respect for his differing point of view and a willingness to learn from him in conversation as crucial ethical conditions of genuine understanding. The book aims to revive the ethical heart of philosophical hermeneutics and reveal the transforming power of the Other in Gadamers hermeneutics. While Gadamers Ethics of Play develops his philosophical hermeneutics as an ethical philosophy in the style of the older tradition of Aristotelian practical philosophy it is finally critical of the extent to which Gadamers hermeneutics can be used as a guide to practice. The book points out our need for guidance when we face our most prevalent obstacle to understandinga closedness to the Other or unwillingness to engage in conversationbut finds no guidance from Gadamer in scenarios where ethical conditions are lacking. Inspired by Gadamers discussion of play the book searches for types of human interaction that might have the power to open or re-open the play of dialogue between those who have become closed to each other so that true understanding between them can be developed. The book is accessible to an undergraduate audience while also being relevant to ongoing debates among Gadamer scholars.