Phenomenology and Onto-Generative Hermeneutics: Convergencies

Abstract

In examining phenomenology as a base onto-generative hermeneutics (onto-hermeneutics) I find the gradual movement from pure phenomenology in Husserl to an ontological phenomenology in Merleau-Ponty through Heidegger and Gadamer. I argue thus that there is an implicit connection between the phenomenological and the ontological. In order to bring out the desirable connection between the two we must have hermeneutic interpretation of one in terms of the other. This leads to the idea of onto-hermeneutic circle of phenomenology and ontology based on the integration of the four phenomenologies which represent a wider comprehension and deeper intuition. It is in terms of this wider comprehension and deeper intuition of reality I introduce the Chinese notion “ben-ti 本體” (root-body) as “onto-generative” as well as onto-phenomenological. I suggest five principles as constituting the basic formulation of such a hermeneutic system as both theory and methodology: (i) Principle of comprehensive observation (guan 观) (the Yijing); (ii) Principle of objective reference (wu 物)1 (the Yijing); (iii) Principle of perception, reflection, and memory (gan 感) (the Yijing and the Confucian); (iv) Principle of intersubjective understanding and interpretation based on (ren 仁) (the Confucian); and (v) Principle of practical end and action (xing 行) (the Confucian).