Hermeneutic Nature Research Articles

Parish Futsal: A Technical–Educational or Pastoral Challenge? Notes on a Multiple-Case Study in Rome

This article aims to present a multiple-case study of parish sports clubs affiliated with the Centro Sportivo Italiano (a Catholic-inspired sports promotion body), present in the Rome area. The purpose of this research is to explore whether there is a relationship between futsal activities and the parish pastoral project. It was a qualitative study that, after listening to key informants, conducted group interviews with some coaches (13) of the teams linked to the parish. This research brought out what the elements of distance between the sports groups and the parish community are, as well as what the strengths may be for the integration of the sports education project within a pastoral dynamic. Two lines of interpretation of the data in pedagogical-improvement terms were also provided: one of a deductive nature and one of a hermeneutic nature.

Fūdosei and the Hermeneutics of Nature

Fūdosei and the Hermeneutics of Nature

Who Are “The Least?” Ἐλάχιστος (Mt 25:31-46) – a Hermeneutical Reconsideration

The present paper deals with the interpretation of one of the Matthean texts that still raises problems to modern exegesis, namely the one relating to the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46), and this because of a term – ἐλάχιστος (v. 40) – translated with “the least”. The question to which the author tries an answer is: “Who are the little ones?” The approach of the work is not so much one of an exegetical nature, but it is of a hermeneutical nature. Beyond the difficulties that modern exegesis seems to have failed to overcome, the real challenge is the spiritual interpretation of this text, an interpretation which depends very much on identifying those who are “the least”. This work attempts to harmonize the textual exegesis with the patristic interpretation, having the stated purpose of applying this text to the spiritual life, both relating to the person and community. Keywords: ἐλάχιστος, the little ones, the least, the Gentiles, reversed pyramid.

The Islamic Humanist Hermeneutics: Definition, Characteristics, and Relevance

ABSTRACT The present article is constructed as an argument for Islamic humanist hermeneutics. In the first part of the article, I propose a more comprehensive, multidimensional definition than has previously been set out of ‘humanist hermeneutics’, i.e. any theory and methodology of interpretation that recognizes and asserts the inherent presence of the human factor and/or limitation of human comprehension on any part of the following levels: the source of the revelation, the process of the revelation, the product of the revelation, and the interpretation of the qur’anic text. In the second part of the article, I explore the nature of humanist hermeneutics, offering a condensed explanation of its main characteristics. The whole article brings into discussion the interdependency that exists between theories of revelation and the epistemologies that determine various types of hermeneutics.

John Henry Newman: Bernard Lonergan's ‘Fundamental Mentor and Guide’

Abstract: Reason has reasons of which ‘reason’ knows nothing. It was this essential insight, along with the methodological prioritisation of a phenomenology of cognition and the recognition of the epistemological distinctiveness of judgment, that a young Bernard Lonergan gleaned from his study of John Henry Newman's Grammar of Assent. Given that the ‘later’, post‐Insight (1953) Lonergan enacted a more explicit transposition of his thought into a hermeneutical and existential framework, one might be tempted to assume that this coincided with a drift away from his tutelage under the nineteenth‐century Englishman. Indeed, an examination of the secondary literature detailing their relationship would suggest as much. Yet, in the hope of contributing to the regrettably sparse Newman‐Lonergan scholarship and proposing a modest recalibration therein, I argue that the more existential, hermeneutical, and committed to the philosophical turn to concrete socio‐historical subjectivity Lonergan grew, the more fruit his early Newmanian formation bore. By analysing Newman's proto‐Lonerganian anticipations in the areas of self‐appropriation, conversion, the relationship of subjectivity to objectivity, and the hermeneutical nature of consciousness, I will contend that Newman—a presciently continental mind writing as one untimely born into an analytical milieu—was the wellspring from which Lonergan never ceased to draw.

Art of Spiritual Care.

The article defends the position that providing spiritual care first and foremost is an art in which tools and instruments are subordinate to practical knowledge, experience, and wisdom of the phenomenon.
 A growing number of instruments and tools for spiritual care have been developed, tested, and validated. Some have been designed for the purpose of doing research, others have been developed for the practice of spiritual caregiving. These instruments and tools have impact both on the way we provide spiritual care, and the way we look upon spiritual care. Behind these developments are different views about what counts as scientific knowledge, as the methodologies used are based in such different paradigms as natural sciences, social constructivism, and phenomenology. The methodology used impacts how spirituality and spiritual care are viewed, as a methodology shapes our understanding of the object which is studied.
 When viewing spiritual care as an art, we base this on an understanding of spiritual care as a dynamic and relational phenomenon. To support this perception, the article structures its arguments on the following elements:
 1) The hermeneutic nature of spiritual caregiving 2) The role of the practice of spiritual caregiving 3) The nature of tacit and intuitive knowledge. The article bridges these arguments by providing empirical examples from spiritual care providers in Denmark.

Marked Feat of Allusions in Roman Mikhailov’s Fairy Tales Collection «The Berries»

Artistic experiments are characteristic of the latest Russian literature. The experiment allows not only to create the effect of a dialogue with the classics, but also to build a new model for assessing reality. The poetic world traditionally has two highways of balance: this is time and an artistic space. The poetics of postmodernism is focused on the creation of the new within the framework of the transformation of the existing. Aesthetic experience processed by postmodern authors has signs of allusions, reminiscences, quotations, open hints. Roman Mikhailov's prose is a unique example of playing with literary codes, cultural and historical stereotypes. This happens both at the level of form and at the boundary level of content. The new literary reality of assessing the present in the mode of fairy-tale narrative is being implemented in R. Mikhailovs collection The Berries (2019). Lately reseachers have been finding little interest in the collection, there are hadly any works found in the public domain that would concern the analysis of language, style, author's manner of narration, compositional framework, genre variations. Thus, the study in line with the assessment of the typology and poetics of Roman Mikhailov's fairy tales appears to be relevant. The methodological content of this work correlates with the one of a receptive and hermeneutic nature. Labeling of allusions in the collection The Berries is carried out for the purpose of visual differentiation of meanings. The scope of postmodern writers meanings expands to rhizome. Consequently, the text stops being only a formal plane, but becomes a paradigmatic sign system. The collection of fairy tales The Berries contains texts of different years. However, they form a single artistic world with related plots. The literary experiment of R. Mikhailov's fairy tales focuses on the texts by Sh. Perrault, F.M. Dostoevsky, N.A. Nekrasov, I.S. Turgenev, N.S. Leskov, A.P. Chekhov; N. Pogodin's screenplay; V. Suteev's cartoon plots; V.S. Vysotsky's song structure. The range of allusions in this case is wide, while the integrity of the cycle remains impeccable. This material can be used in studies on the poetics of the latest Russian prose, as well as in the invastigations focused on Roman Mikhailovs works.

Assessment of the relevance of the industrial engineering career curriculum in relation to the labor market

Interculturality in higher education in Ecuador is linked to mainstreaming and programs aimed at teacher training, particularly for indigenous peoples and nationalities. This stage proposes a reflection on how the interculturality concept is used in higher education at the University of Cuenca. It had an analytical-interpretive approach of a hermeneutical nature. The results show that the interculturality concept in the programs is framed in terms of ethnic and linguistic processes. However, there is also a critical approach its questions power relations, forms of coloniality, and colonialism. In addition, it revealed the importance of mainstreaming the intercultural approach in the different postgraduate programs and that these are not exclusive to indigenous people since they must transcend ethnic and cultural processes. For this reason, those who develop the programs must adequately handle the concepts of what they want to consolidate.

Exploration of the Concept of Interculturality in higher Education

Interculturality in higher education in Ecuador is linked to mainstreaming and programs aimed at teacher training, particularly for indigenous peoples and nationalities. This stage proposes a reflection on how the interculturality concept is used in higher education at the University of Cuenca. It had an analytical -interpretive approach of a hermeneutical nature. The results show that the interculturality concept in the programs is framed in terms of ethnic and linguistic processes. However, there is also a critical approach its questions of power relations, forms of coloniality, and colonialism. In addition, it revealed the importance of mainstreaming the intercultural approach in the different postgraduate programs and that these are not exclusive to indigenous people since they must transcend ethnic and cultural processes. For this reason, those who develop the programs must adequately handle the concepts of what they want to consolidate.

Dialectical Approach to Legal Arguing and Legal Argumentation

The article is devoted to legal argumentation, namely to its research by dialectical approach. The aim of the article is to determine characteristic features of dialectical approach to legal argumentation.
 Dialectical approach to the research of legal argumentation should include philosophical, theoretical, empirical components. Philosophical component of legal argumentation research consists in the critical conception of rationality i.e. the philosophical axiomatic idea about rationality of legal argumentation, which is systematically tested within discourse or critical discussion. Dialectical theoretical model of legal argumentation ensures mutual acceptability of legal argumentation by the parties. Dialectical approach deals with legal argumentation mainly in the “context of justification.” Dialectical approach to legal arguing implies specific standard of soundness of the argumentation – acceptability standard. Empirical component of legal argumentation includes reconstruction of argumentation and its weighting (analytic component) as well as analysis of particular legal reasoning (practical component). Dialectical approach highlights hermeneutical nature of legal reasoning.
 Dialectical approach to legal argumentation lets us assume some ontological issues concerning legal argumentation. Legal argumentation is considered as the form of rational communication of particular persons to reach mutual acceptability of legally important conclusions within the procedure of discussion. Legal argumentation is the result of such impact embodied in acceptability of legally binding issues within the procedure of rational discussion.

Metaphors to Survive by: Mimicry as Biometaphors, Embodiment of Sign and Cognitive Tools (not only) in Animals?

Abstract Can Cognitive Metaphor Theory (CMT) be applied productively to the study of mimicry in zoosemiotics and ethology? In this theoretical comparison of selected case studies, I would like to propose that biological mimicry is a type of biosemiotic metaphor. At least two major parallels between cognitive metaphors in human cognition and mimicry among animals justify viewing the two phenomena as isomorphic. First—from the semiotic point of view—the argument is that both metaphor and mimicry are cases of semiotic transfer (etymologically: metaphor) of the identity / sign of the source onto the perceived identity / sign of the target. This identity transfer, in turn, triggers appropriate changes in the response (behavior) of the surrounding (human or animal) interpreters (e.g. predators). Semiotically, the mimicry turns the body of its bearer into a sign of something else, resulting in the interpreters’ (e.g. predators’) perception of species X as species Y—hence, a type of embodied sign and cognitive metaphor. Second, ecologically, a species occupying one niche (e.g. a moth: non-venomous, herbivorous primary consumer) is perceived and identified as an occupant of a different niche (e.g. a hornet: venomous, omnivorous predator). Thus, a potential predator’s Umwelt is affected by its perceiving a hornet moth as “a hornet” where there is, in fact, a moth, and its response to this stimulus will not be predation but avoidance. In terms of CMT, we could call this a biosemiotic metaphor (bio-metaphor), e.g. “A MOTH IS A HORNET” or “PREY IS A PREDATOR”. Further correspondences between mimicry and metaphor include the fact that this bio-metaphorical identification by mimicry does not typically require a “perfect” resemblance between the source and the target sign (or species); this seems to correspond to the prototype categorization in CMT where categories are “open-ended” and only a partial similarity is sufficient for metaphorical identification (compare Lakoff, Johnson 1980; Rosch 1983). Such an identification of mimicry as metaphor could be based on Prodi’s argument that “hermeneutics is not a late product of culture, but the same elementary movement of life that is born because something obscurely interprets something else” (Eco 2018: 350; Kull 2018, 352—364). Inasmuch as animal Umwelten are interconnected inter alia by this natural hermeneutics, the trans-disciplinary approach to the study eco-zoosemiotic interpretants on the basis of metaphor-mimicry isomorphism could open new opportunities in comparative studies of semiosis in human and animal cognition and interactions.

Etnoagronomía: Una alternativa para el desarrollo rural en México

The crisis of the rural sector in productive and environmental matters; they can unleash other alternative development processes to the hegemonic ones. Ethnoagronomy, as an emerging approach when resuming the synthesis of peasant knowledge present in traditional agriculture, establishes guiding principles for efficient management of the use and management of natural resources. The objective of this work is to describe the importance of ethnoagronomy, to establish sustainable production strategies within a framework of human resource training in agronomic institutions. It is based on an ethnographic study of a hermeneutical nature. It is concluded that it is necessary to incorporate curricular lines and study plans, at the middle and higher education level, that contain guiding principles that prioritize and recognize the feelings and thoughts of the subjects who are considered the depositories of the transformation. productive and social in rural areas.

Co-designing diagnosis: Towards a responsible integration of Machine Learning decision-support systems in medical diagnostics.

RationaleThis paper aims to show how the focus on eradicating bias from Machine Learning decision‐support systems in medical diagnosis diverts attention from the hermeneutic nature of medical decision‐making and the productive role of bias. We want to show how an introduction of Machine Learning systems alters the diagnostic process. Reviewing the negative conception of bias and incorporating the mediating role of Machine Learning systems in the medical diagnosis are essential for an encompassing, critical and informed medical decision‐making.MethodsThis paper presents a philosophical analysis, employing the conceptual frameworks of hermeneutics and technological mediation, while drawing on the case of Machine Learning algorithms assisting doctors in diagnosis. This paper unravels the non‐neutral role of algorithms in the doctor's decision‐making and points to the dialogical nature of interaction not only with the patients but also with the technologies that co‐shape the diagnosis.FindingsFollowing the hermeneutical model of medical diagnosis, we review the notion of bias to show how it is an inalienable and productive part of diagnosis. We show how Machine Learning biases join the human ones to actively shape the diagnostic process, simultaneously expanding and narrowing medical attention, highlighting certain aspects, while disclosing others, thus mediating medical perceptions and actions. Based on that, we demonstrate how doctors can take Machine Learning systems on board for an enhanced medical diagnosis, while being aware of their non‐neutral role.ConclusionsWe show that Machine Learning systems join doctors and patients in co‐designing a triad of medical diagnosis. We highlight that it is imperative to examine the hermeneutic role of the Machine Learning systems. Additionally, we suggest including not only the patient, but also colleagues to ensure an encompassing diagnostic process, to respect its inherently hermeneutic nature and to work productively with the existing human and machine biases.

Acercamiento a la subjetividad de profesores de matemáticas mediante un estudio narrativo-autobiográfico de corte hermenéutico

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de una investigación cuyo propósito fue develar las subjetividades de profesores de matemáticas a partir de un estudio narrativo-autobiográfico de corte hermenéutico. Las preguntas que orientaron esta investigación tienen que ver con los tipos de experiencias profesional y de formación reportadas en las tramas narrativas de los profesores y los sentidos que se develan acerca de sus subjetividades. Esta investigación se desarrolla mediante métodos cualitativos de tipo inductivo y se compromete con la comunión cognitiva entre los profesores e investigadora y la doble hermenéutica que ésta implica. Para su desarrollo se creó un ambiente de aprendizaje en el que nueve profesores de matemáticas experimentaron la creación e interpretación de tramas narrativas autobiográficas sobre su experiencia profesional y trayectoria de formación en tres fases: preconfiguración, configuración y reconfiguración. En la fase de reconfiguración, los profesores y la investigadora llevaron a cabo análisis paradigmáticos y narrativos de datos provenientes de sus tramas, con los cuales los profesores lograron tomar distancia de sus experiencias, vivieron procesos de identificación y entraron en modo subjuntivo. Como resultado se develan las capacidades de contar, decir y hacer de los profesores. Otros resultados fueron: la transición entre una postura moralmente neutra y una como sujeto responsable; el saber artesanal proveniente de la comunidad de profesores a la que pertenecen; las prácticas culturales que permitieron los primeros vínculos con prácticas matemáticas; la relevancia de otros en la configuración de su identidad profesional, en especial, el papel de sus pares académicos como expertos adaptativos o rutinarios y las interacciones con los estudiantes

Contornos das políticas sociais (assistência-educação) à infância desvalida portuguesa (séculos XIX e XX)

A problemática da assistência e educação às crianças pobres, abandonadas ou desvalidas, designadas por ‘Outra infância’, apresentou diferentes enfoques de análise e diferentes discursos, que tiveram respostas sociais (políticas), segundo o período histórico abordado (século XIX e parte do século XX). O propósito historiográfico norteia-se pela assistência educativa e protetiva àquele tipo de infância. Recorremos a fontes documentais, à imprensa, a legislação, a teses e monografias de instituições, etc., que permitiram elaborar a argumentação, de índole hermenêutica, que é um método cujo campo de atuação envolve a compreensão e a profundidade dos aspetos subjetivos e objetivos de pesquisa. O quadro teórico-conceptual assenta numa base ampla de referências à proteção e assistência social, à economia social, aos dispositivos jurídicos, ao papel das instituições asilares de internamento, etc. A estrutura do estudo divide-se em 3 pontos: a representação social da infância e respetivas construções sociais; a assistência social regulada pelos dispositivos administrativos locais e a perspetiva das instituições de internação à infância desvalida.

Evolution of the Doctrine of Signatures of Things and the Adamic Language in the Chemical Philosophy of the 16th and 17th Centuries

The aim of the paper is to investigate paths along which a transformation of the doctrine of natural signs was developed in works by Paracelsians, forming one of the main religious and philosophic currents of Late Renaissance. The modifications of the doctrine are discussed in a context of intensive speculations on the essence of the primordial language of humankind and on the possibility of its restoration, which can describe the intellectual life of that epoch. It is argued that within “chemical philosophy” the possibility of restoration of the Adamic language directly depends on mastering the art of interpreting natural signs (signatura rerum), which can give a key to correct understanding of nature. And shifts in the conceptualization of such signatures involved transformations in formulating and solving of the Adamistic problems, which did not exclude reverse causation. It is also ascertained that the most orthodox followers of Paracelsus usually appealed to the Adamistic narrative in order to reinforce legitimacy of the symbolic hermeneutics of nature, developed with chiefly medico-pharmacological purposes. Meanwhile, relatively more independent Paracelsians often paid more attention to linguo-philosophic issues. Realizing the deficiency of the doctrine of signatures for reconstruction of the primordial language, they postulated the necessity of one (or two) of the following premises: (a) supplementing the doctrine with a mystical illumination; (b) acceptance of a weaker version, according to which natural signs are just sparse reference points slightly simplifying empirical study of nature; (c) abandonment of search for the Ursprache and constructing its artificial substitute, a universal semiotic system.

La educación desde la perspectiva de Tomás de Aquino en el contexto de la cibercultura

En este artículo se ofrece una reflexión sobre la educación en el siglo xxi, desde la perspectiva de Tomás de Aquino. De esta manera, propicia una actualización de las cuestiones decisivas de la práctica pedagógica desde una perspectiva realista, humana y ética, basada en el ideario educativo y pedagógico de Tomás de Aquino, en el contexto de la cibercultura. Para esto, se exponen las implicaciones antropológicas, epistemológicas y axiológicas del pensamiento de Tomás de Aquino, con el fin de aplicarlas a la práctica educativa con base en el realismo pedagógico. Con esta finalidad, se optó por realizar un diseño cualitativo de corte hermenéutico, en el que se triangulan los textos de Santo Tomás frente a los textos clásicos de la cibercultura y la convergencia cibercultural. Con base en esto, se proponen algunas líneas de acción para estimular la reflexión del diseño curricular, según los conceptos de persona, verdad y virtud, propios de Santo Tomás, ampliamente emergentes en la llamada sociedad digital.

An existential phenomenological understanding of early church diversity

The New Testament documents represent a variety of perceptions about the church, showing that the early church was not unitary in practise or theology. How do we explain the diversity in the early church? Existential phenomenological hermeneutics can shine insightful light on this question by utilising Heidegger’s concept of Dasein in an interpretation model. The model used the pre-structure of Dasein (pre-understanding, presuppositions and prejudice) and its interactive circular dynamic with the hermeneutical concepts of world and phenomena to table aspects of the hermeneutic situation and the resultant Dasein types as self-understanding developed from various groups’ interpretations of Jesus. In this way, the hermeneutic dynamic explains the variety of pre- and post-Easter groups. The results show that there is no objective, standard view of Jesus and no objective set of Jesus’ teachings available; no ideal Dasein type is presented for faith communities. The kerygma of the Crucified and Risen One as God’s act of salvation is the central presupposition of the church’s Dasein. The historical nature of hermeneutics cannot be denied. Historical–critical exegesis and its circular dynamic of understanding is a legitimate and sound hermeneutic model. Unhistorical hermeneutics have definite limitations and should be deemed insufficient. There is no plain meaning of any phenomenon or text, only the text or phenomenon as it is understood. Faith communities consciously partake in the hermeneutic dynamic and recognise the influence of their pre-understandings, presuppositions and prejudices which constantly be questioned and adjusted to facilitate their authentic Dasein. Contribution: This historical hermeneutical study explains that different hermeneutical situations lead to different Dasein types as various self-understandings developed according to Jesus groups’ interpretations of Jesus varied. No ideal Dasein type for faith communities is presented. These findings resonate with HTS Theological Studies focus and scope regarding historical thought in research.

EDUCAÇÃO (ESPECIAL), MÉTODOS DE ENSINO E INSTITUIÇÕES DESTINADAS À SURDEZ EM PORTUGAL: VISÃO SOCIOHISTÓRICA NO SÉC. XIX E INÍCIOS DO XX

O estudo de índole histórico-descritivo trata sobre a educação especial às crianças surdas-mudas no séc. XIX e começos do XX, em Portugal. O seu marco conceptual assenta em fontes documentais e arquivísticas e de outras fontes secundárias no âmbito da História da Educação (Especial) sobre surdos. A nossa argumentação historiográfica, de teor hermenêutico (analítica) incide na educação, ações de ensino (métodos) aos surdos e nas iniciativas institucionais para essas pessoas com deficiência sensorial, ditas ‘anormais’ na época. O debate entre as técnicas de ensino aos surdos (oralismo, gestualismo), no âmbito de uma pedagogia diferenciada, acompanhou as tendências europeias divulgadas (métodos: francês e alemão). Em oitocentos, criaram-se classes/aulas e instituições, com o apoio dos municípios e misericórdias (Lisboa, Porto) e de filantropos ou beneméritos, destacando-se o papel da Casa Pia de Lisboa, instituição pioneira na educação dos surdos-mudos. Os nossos objetivos são os seguintes: compreender a existência de uma pedagogia nacional para os surdos (séc. XIX e parte do XX) e respetivas iniciativas educativas; analisar os métodos ou técnicas de ensino (oralista, gestual) seguidos por alguns pedagogos em instituições; compreender a organização de estudos do Real Instituto para surdos-mudos da Casa Pia e as principais características de aprendizagem. Este retrospecto histórico sobre educação da surdez intenta configurar práticas, orientações metodológicas e propostas educacionais, algumas diferentes, que desenvolveram muitas capacidades nos surdos, apesar de limitações. Toda esta visão historiográfica feita em 4 pontos do texto permitiu conhecer os caminhos percorridos pela comunidade surda, as suas dificuldades e lutas e as formas de intervenção.

Initial fundamentals for the generation of a pre model of phenomenological analysis focused on the concept of violence

The article proposes an investigation for the construction of a pre-analysis model, based on the phenomenological conception from the psychology referred to by Fisas Vicenç, to then address the construct of violence, based on the cultural perspective from Rojas Blanco, stripping himself from the dualistic conception of gender that arises from the Cartesian philosophical conception, aspect that prevents addressing the issue of violence as a great psychosocial phenomenon, leaving it in a purely legal problem, without transcending the psychological as an alternative solution to the current problem. The methodology used is of a hermeneutical nature, focusing the interpretation on the theoretical position, the statistics are analyzed, as the interpretative scenario related to the topic, using the main elements of the pre-model as a form of empirical application of the same, to the social contexts that require it. For this, then, the interpretative analysis of the primary elements of the family violence category is used, in relation to the various manifestations of this, at the social level. Essentially, the pre-model, its elements and the way of articulating them to the phenomenological world are presented as a result, for a more objective view at the reality of violence in the different scenarios. It is important to refer to the need to transform the perspective of violence from the complex, dissolving the notion of duality that stands around this category at the level of national and international institutions. A more humane and in-depth look at this category allows more objective decisions to be made, about the different issues that emerge around the concept of violence.