¿Es Paul Ricoeur un fenomenólogo? Entre fenomenología y hermenéutica

Abstract

The article aims show in what sense Paul Ricoeur's philosophy might be considered, beginning end, a phenomenology. Therefore, I argue that phenomenology is not only a stage in his thought that is overcome by his following philosophical encounters. I do not find satisfactory the picture that has been presented of his philosophical itinerary, which he himself agreed with, by saying that he starts from phenomenology and goes to hermeneutics. Regarding such picture, I strongly support the idea of between as a philosophical position: between phenomenology and hermeneutics. Ricoeur is both a phenomenologist and a hermeneutist. His phenomenological commitment leads him hermeneutics and his way of practicing hermeneutics can only be understood the standpoint of phenomenology. Ricoeur is a phenomenologist by choice and a hermeneutist by fate. For a correctly understanding of Ricoeur's relation phenomenology, the great variety of his writings on phenomenology and hermeneutics is considered, bearing in mind his phenomenological and hermeneutical attitude not only in his major works, but also in his short introductions and dissertations concerning phenomenology. I argue that the collection of writings A l’ecole de la phenomenologie turns out be crucial for this issue. It is concluded that Ricoeur's philosophy has a triple composition: reflexive, descriptive and interpretative. Reflexive philosophy, phenomenology and hermeneutics are three ways of doing philosophy. In the thought or Ricoeur they are joined, complemented and strengthened. It is possible argue that for him phenomenology is reflexive, descriptive and interpretative. Being with Ricoeur in the school of phenomenology means being in the own path of philosophy, of which each one of us should practice up the expectations of the time and according our own circumstances.