DILTHEY, HERMENEUTICS, AND HUMAN SCIENCES

Abstract

Dilthey, who is known for his philosophical view of history which reacts to the idea of the method unity of positivism and reacts to the scientific method as an ideal, tried to reach a solid history design by revealing the principles and reasons underlying the historical research. Dilthey's understanding of the philosophy of history is mostly discussed in relation to the cultural studies and philosophy. But in the methodological debates of social/human sciences, Dilthey's historical method and the concept of understanding have a central importance. Indeed, one of the greatest contributions to the co-operation between history and sociology came from Dilthey. In this paper, too, it is largely handled in this study together with Dilthey's historical philosophy, especially the historical method, epistemology, and some basic terms he uses as the basis of the sciences. First of all, it is focused on Dilthey’s epistemological context and on his distinction between the natural sciences and human sciences. In the direction of Dilthey's method of understanding, Dilthey's thoughts on language, critical understanding and hermeneutics are also discussed. In this framework, especially the problem of objectivity is emphasized, and finally, Dilthey's philosophy of history is evaluated.