Hermeneutic Circle

The hermeneutic circle is a fundamental concept in hermeneutic phenomenology, representing the cyclical and iterative nature of understanding. It highlights the continuous interplay between pre-understanding and interpretation, emphasizing that our initial assumptions shape our understanding of the parts, which in turn, informs our grasp of the whole.

The hermeneutic circle operates in two interconnected ways:

Circle of Pre-understanding and Interpretation

The hermeneutic circle refers to the interdependent relationship between our pre-understanding and our interpretation of new information.

This concept explains how human understanding develops through a cyclical process.

We approach any interpretation with existing knowledge and assumptions, referred to as our “horizon.”

This horizon represents our accumulated experiences, beliefs, and prior knowledge that create our starting point for understanding.

When we encounter new information – whether in a text, a person’s experience, or a phenomenon – our horizon shapes how we initially perceive and interpret the details.

As we engage with these details, our understanding begins to evolve beyond our initial assumptions.

This engagement with new information leads to a revision of our original understanding.

Our initial assumptions may be challenged, confirmed, or modified, resulting in a more nuanced comprehension of both the specific details and the broader context.

The process then continues cyclically – our newly revised understanding becomes our new horizon, which in turn influences how we interpret future information.

This ongoing back-and-forth between pre-understanding and interpretation constitutes the hermeneutic circle.

Circle of the Whole and Its Parts

The hermeneutic circle can be described as the interplay between understanding the whole and understanding its parts. This relationship creates a fundamental cyclical process in interpretation.

To grasp the meaning of a text, we need to understand its individual parts. However, understanding the meaning of each part depends on our understanding of the whole text.

This reciprocal relationship means that our understanding develops through constant movement between examining the parts and considering the whole.

This constant movement between the parts and the whole is crucial for constructing a comprehensive understanding.

Each time we examine a part in light of the whole, or revisit the whole after understanding a part, our interpretation becomes deeper and more nuanced.

For example, in analyzing a participant’s account in hermeneutic phenomenology, the researcher might initially identify individual statements or “meaning units.”

Understanding the significance of these units requires considering their place within the participant’s overall narrative.

As the researcher’s understanding of the narrative develops, the meaning of individual units becomes clearer.

How do I enter the hermeneutic circle in the “right way”?

The hermeneutic circle is a process of interpretation in which we continually move between smaller and larger units of meaning in order to determine the meaning of both.

Entering the hermeneutic circle effectively requires a reflexive and open approach to interpretation.

Remember that the goal is not to eliminate pre-understandings but to use them constructively as a starting point for a dynamic and enriching engagement with the material.

1. Acknowledge pre-understandings:

The hermeneutic circle emphasizes that we cannot escape our pre-existing knowledge, beliefs, and experiences.

These pre-understandings, or “prejudices” as Gadamer terms them, form our initial horizon and inevitably shape how we make sense of new information.

Therefore, the first step to entering the circle effectively is to become aware of these pre-understandings.

Consider how your academic training, personal experiences, and cultural background might influence your interpretations.

Keep a reflexive journal to track how your understanding evolves.

2. Be open to the aata’s alterity:

Practice what Gadamer calls a “fusion of horizons” – where your perspective meets and engages with different viewpoints.

This process requires us to be open to alterity – the otherness or difference that emerges when encountering new perspectives.

The text or the participants might present perspectives that differ from your own or contradict your expectations.

Allow these encounters to challenge and modify your initial assumptions, seeing them as opportunities for learning and deepening your understanding.

3. Engage in Dialogue:

Heidegger argues that authentic understanding arises not from passively receiving information but from actively questioning the meaning of what we encounter.

The hermeneutic circle, in this context, becomes a process of questioning and revising our pre-understandings in light of the questions that arise from our engagement with the world.

This emphasis on questioning encourages a more critical and dynamic approach to interpretation, constantly challenging our assumptions and seeking deeper understanding.

Rather than accepting our initial interpretations, we must actively engage in questioning both our own perspectives and the material we’re trying to understand.

This questioning process can be enhanced through dialogue with others.

Discussing your interpretations with colleagues, peers, or mentors can help uncover potential blind spots and biases, providing valuable insights and alternative perspectives that you might have missed.

In qualitative research methods like IPA, this dialogue can be extended to include the participants themselves (member checking).

Seeking feedback from participants can help ensure that your interpretations are grounded in their experiences and perspectives, creating another layer of the hermeneutic circle where your understanding is refined through direct engagement with those you’re studying.

4. Ground Interpretations in the Data:

While your pre-understandings are part of the interpretive process, it’s crucial to ensure that your interpretations are supported by the data itself.

Provide concrete evidence from the text or the participants’ accounts to justify your claims.

Avoid making speculative leaps or imposing interpretations that are not clearly rooted in the material.

Rigorous analysis involves demonstrating how your interpretations emerge from the data.

Create clear audit trails showing how interpretations emerged.

5. Embrace the Iterative Process:

Recognize that understanding is not a one-time achievement but a gradual unfolding, circular process.

As one delves deeper into a text or phenomenon, new layers of meaning emerge, prompting further questions and interpretations.

This dynamic interplay between the parts and the whole, and between the interpreter and the interpreted, makes the idea of a final, complete understanding elusive.

Entering the hermeneutic circle involves moving back and forth between the parts and the whole, continually refining your understanding as you delve deeper into the material.

Interpretation is always “on the way”, suggesting a continuous process of refinement and revision rather than a fixed endpoint.

While a “perfect” interpretation may be unattainable, we can strive for more adequate and insightful understandings.

The process of interpretation involves revisiting the data, questioning your assumptions, and revising your understanding.

Be patient and resist the pressure to arrive at definitive answers quickly. Embrace this iterative process as an opportunity for deepening and enriching your insights.

To support this process:

• Document each iteration of your analysis
• Review your earlier interpretations regularly
• Question your assumptions at each stage
• Remain open to new perspectives

In conclusion, while the hermeneutic circle suggests that there is no single, definitive interpretation, the pursuit of understanding remains valuable.

By embracing the iterative nature of the process, being critically aware of our own pre-understandings, and engaging in open dialogue, we can develop increasingly insightful and meaningful interpretations.

Practical Application of the Hermeneutic Circle

The hermeneutic circle has practical implications for various fields, including research, therapy, and education:

• Research: Qualitative researchers engage in a continuous process of interpreting participants’ experiences, revising their understanding, and developing themes that capture the essence of the phenomenon
• Therapy: The hermeneutic circle helps therapists understand clients’ narratives within their unique contexts and life experiences. It encourages a collaborative approach where both therapist and client contribute to the meaning-making process.
• Education: The hermeneutic circle can be applied in education by encouraging students to engage critically with texts and ideas, questioning their assumptions, and developing interpretations based on evidence and dialogue.

The Hermeneutic Circle in Therapy

The hermeneutic circle is a powerful framework for understanding the therapeutic process.

It emphasizes the dynamic interplay between therapist and client, the importance of pre-understanding and context, and the transformative potential of co-creating meaning.

By embracing the principles of the hermeneutic circle, therapists can foster a deeper understanding of their clients’ experiences and facilitate meaningful change.

1. Understanding the Client’s Narrative:

• The therapist enters the therapeutic relationship with their own pre-understandings, shaped by their theoretical orientation, personal experiences, and cultural background.
• The client also comes with their own unique narrative, formed by their life experiences, relationships, and values.
• The therapist listens attentively to the client’s story, seeking to understand their perspective and the meaning they ascribe to their experiences. This involves a willingness to be open to the client’s “alterity,” allowing their narrative to challenge the therapist’s initial assumptions.
• This process of understanding is not a one-time event but a continuous back-and-forth movement between the therapist’s pre-understanding and the client’s unfolding narrative. As the therapist gains a deeper understanding of the client’s experiences, their own perspectives are challenged and refined.

2. Co-Creating Meaning:

• The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a hermeneutic circle, where meaning is co-created through dialogue and interaction between therapist and client.
• The therapist does not simply interpret the client’s story but engages in a collaborative process of meaning-making, recognizing that the client is the expert on their own experience.
• Through careful questioning and empathic listening, the therapist helps the client explore their experiences in a new light, uncovering hidden meanings and making connections they may not have seen before.
• This dialogical process can lead to a “fusion of horizons,” where the therapist’s understanding is enriched by the client’s perspective, and the client gains new insights into their own experiences.

3. Facilitating Transformation:

• The hermeneutic circle in therapy is not simply about understanding the past but also about facilitating transformation and growth.
• By exploring their experiences within the therapeutic relationship, clients can gain a new understanding of themselves and their situation, leading to shifts in perspective and behavior.
• The therapist’s role is not to provide solutions but to create a safe and supportive space for the client to explore their own meanings, develop new narratives, and make choices that align with their values.

4. Balancing Empathy and Critical Engagement:

• An hermeneutic approach encourages a balance between a “hermeneutics of empathy” and a “hermeneutics of suspicion.”
• This involves:
  • Empathically entering the client’s world and understanding their perspective from within their own frame of reference.
  • Simultaneously maintaining a critical stance, questioning taken-for-granted assumptions, and exploring potential blind spots in the client’s narrative.
• This balanced approach allows for a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the client’s experiences, leading to more effective therapeutic interventions.

Examples of the Hermeneutic Circle in Therapy:

• A client struggling with anxiety might initially attribute their symptoms to external stressors. Through exploration in therapy, they might uncover deeper meanings related to childhood experiences or unresolved conflicts.
• A couple in therapy might present with communication problems. By exploring their individual narratives and patterns of interaction, they can gain a new understanding of their relationship dynamics and develop more effective communication strategies.

The Hermeneutic Circle In Education

By incorporating the principles of the hermeneutic circle into their teaching practices, educators can create learning environments that foster critical thinking, meaningful dialogue, and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of knowledge and experience.

Engaging with Texts and Ideas:

• Students come to the learning process with pre-existing knowledge, beliefs, and experiences (their “horizon”). Educators must acknowledge these pre-understandings and use them as starting points for engaging with new information.
• The encounter with new texts, concepts, or ideas can challenge and modify those initial assumptions. Students need to be encouraged to question their pre-understandings, be open to different perspectives, and be willing to revise their understanding as they engage with the material.
• This process involves a continuous back-and-forth movement between the student’s existing knowledge and the new information they are encountering. The meaning of a text or concept is not fixed but emerges through this dynamic interplay.

Fostering Critical Thinking and Interpretation:

• Educators can use the hermeneutic circle to foster critical thinking skills by:
  • Encouraging students to ask questions about the text or concept, exploring its underlying assumptions and potential biases.
  • Considering different interpretations and perspectives, recognizing that there is no single “correct” way to understand a complex idea.
  • Supporting students in developing their own interpretations, grounding their claims in evidence from the text or concept.

Promoting Dialogue and Collaboration:

• The hermeneutic circle emphasizes the importance of dialogue and collaboration in the learning process.
• Discussion and debate with peers and educators can help students:
  • Articulate their own understanding, clarifying their thoughts and identifying areas where their understanding is incomplete.
  • Gain exposure to different perspectives, broadening their horizons and deepening their understanding.
  • Develop skills in constructive criticism and respectful disagreement.

Recognizing the Role of Context:

• Understanding is always situated within a particular historical, cultural, and social context. Educators should help students recognize:
  • How their own backgrounds and experiences shape their understanding.
  • How the context in which a text was created influences its meaning.
  • How different cultural and social groups might interpret the same text or concept in different ways.

Embracing the Ongoing Nature of Learning:

• The hermeneutic circle highlights that learning is not a linear process with a defined endpoint but an ongoing journey of exploration and discovery.
• Educators can:
  • Encourage students to embrace the ambiguity and complexity of knowledge.
  • Foster a lifelong love of learning by emphasizing the value of continuous inquiry and the joy of discovering new perspectives.

Examples of the Hermeneutic Circle in Education:

• In a literature class, students might initially interpret a novel based on their personal experiences and values. Through class discussions and deeper analysis of the text, they may gain new insights into the author’s intentions, the historical context, and the broader themes of the work.
• In a history class, students studying a particular event might begin with a simplified understanding based on textbooks or popular media. By engaging with primary sources and examining different historical interpretations, they can develop a more nuanced and critical understanding of the event.

Is the hermeneutic circle a problem to be solved?

Historically, some viewed the hermeneutic circle as a threat to objectivity, a vicious circle where interpretations were merely a product of pre-existing biases.

They saw pre-understandings as biases that could distort understanding and aimed to eliminate them through rigorous methods.

Heidegger, however, fundamentally reconceptualized the hermeneutic circle by grounding it in the very structure of human existence (Dasein).

He argues that understanding is not merely a cognitive process but a fundamental aspect of how we exist in the world.

Dasein, for Heidegger, is always already “being-in-the-world,” engaged in understanding and interpreting its surroundings.

This pre-reflective understanding shapes our encounters with the world and forms the basis of all interpretation.

Building on Heidegger’s insights, modern hermeneutic thinkers like Gadamer see the circle as an inevitable and positive aspect of understanding.

They argue that we cannot escape our pre-understandings because they are the very conditions that make understanding possible.

Therefore, the key is not to try to eliminate our pre-understandings but to become aware of them and enter the circle in a way that leads to deeper understanding.

Reading List

• Debesay, J., Nåden, D., & Slettebø, Å. (2008). How do we close the hermeneutic circle? A Gadamerian approach to justification in interpretation in qualitative studies. Nursing inquiry, 15(1), 57-66.
• Gadamer, H. G. (1977). Philosophical hermeneutics. Univ of California Press.
• Grondin, J. (2015). The hermeneutical circle. A Companion to hermeneutics, 299-305.
• Heidegger, M. (1962). Heidegger, Being and Time.
• Suddick, K. M., Cross, V., Vuoskoski, P., Galvin, K. T., & Stew, G. (2020). The work of hermeneutic phenomenology. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1609406920947600.