A quote on understanding as a way of creating meaning, from German philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer's book, Truth and Method.
Revisiting Existentialism in Disney
This is an article I wrote precisely one year ago. It explores existentialist themes I discovered in Disney's Lion King story of Timon and Pumba. Today, while researching 13th-century theologian and philosopher Thomas Aquinas's thoughts on individuality and subjectivity, I felt it can be useful to revisit this post. I hope it inspires you to … Continue reading Revisiting Existentialism in Disney
Spreading the Word: Different Worlds We Experience
When we experience the world and interpret its meaning, it is not so much "I'll believe it when I see it", it is rather "I will see it if I believe it". And - in the way that I believe it to be. Curious? Then you might be interested in this short BBC Ideas video: … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Different Worlds We Experience
Spreading the Word: Importance of Meaning-Making
Why is it much more important to understand than to know? Why are all the 'why' questions significant, and how an understanding of reasons shapes our actions? I found these two articles that I would like to share with you today: on understanding and on 'why'. In each article, the authors offer their take on … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Importance of Meaning-Making
Spreading the Word: How AI Interprets Art?
Have you ever felt bewildered when looking at contemporary art? I know I have. Sometimes it is even difficult to understand what is art anymore. Maybe such musings are part of art's genius. So imagine what it is like for an AI to 'interpret' contemporary art. How would an algorithm go about recognising art and … Continue reading Spreading the Word: How AI Interprets Art?
Disrupting and Creating Meaning
We, humans, are remarkably flexible beings. Sometimes, we surprise even ourselves if we pay attention. For example, take Jacques Derrida's idea of deconstruction. As a way of thinking, it takes a settled meaning we accept as true and dismantles it to show how inherently arbitrary any one such interpretation is. In other words, its opposite … Continue reading Disrupting and Creating Meaning
Spreading the Word: What is Deconstruction?
What do philosophers mean when they talk about deconstruction? This concept is rather simpler than it might sound. It is associated with the 20th-century philosopher Jacques Derrida who introduced it as a notion describing a way of thinking. What sort of thinking? Have a listen to this interesting short video and find out about some … Continue reading Spreading the Word: What is Deconstruction?
Spreading the Word: Lecture on Gadamer and Hermeneutics II
Last week, I shared with you a video lecture by Dr Michael Sugrue on Hans-Georg Gadamer, an influential 20th-century German philosopher who developed philosophical hermeneutics. This branch of philosophy focuses on human understanding, interpretation, and meaning creation. Today, I share another take on Gadamer's philosophy - Understanding and Dialogue: What I Have Learned from H. … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Lecture on Gadamer and Hermeneutics II
Spreading the Word: Lecture on Gadamer and Hermeneutics
In today's post, I would like to share with you another fascinating lecture by Dr. Michael Sugrue - Gadamer: Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences. Philosophical hermeneutics is a branch of philosophy interested in human understanding, interpretation, and meaning creation. Hans-Georg Gadamer was a 20th-century German philosopher, a leading thinker whose major work "Truth and Method" (1960) … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Lecture on Gadamer and Hermeneutics
Spreading the Word: Frankl’s Quotes on Meaning
In this short video, you will hear some of what Viktor Frankl had to say about our need for meaning. Given his severe and bitter personal experience (Nazi camps survivor), I find his thoughtful words particularly inspiring and motivating. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HUtKHLHeAY Keeping up the "Spreading the Word" tradition, every weekend, I hope to share an … Continue reading Spreading the Word: Frankl’s Quotes on Meaning
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