The dialogue between tradition and understanding: a Gadamerian reflection on the past and its impact on historical interpretation

Abstract

This perspective examines the ideas of Hans-Georg Gadamer in his work Truth and Method, highlighting how our understanding of the past is deeply influenced by the traditions in which we are immersed. Gadamer challenges the notions of objectivity and neutrality in history and science, arguing that our interpretations are inevitably coloured by personal experiences, biases, and values. The interactive relationship between subjectivity and objectivity is emphasized, showing how tradition affects our perception of the past and how, in turn, our current investigations may reconfigure that same tradition. This hermeneutic approach invites deeper reflection on how tradition and community shape our understanding of the world, suggesting that science and historical interpretation are dialogic and contextually rooted processes rather than purely objective efforts.