Afterword

Abstract

In this volume Stephen Toulmin and Allan Janik have represented me as the person who converted Hans-Georg Gadamer to the recognition that the natural sciences and technology are hermeneutical, like history, art, the humanities, and the social sciences. That is, they are constituted by human meanings embodied in language, symbols, and cultural practices. The two cultures of the natural sciences and the human arts are thereby brought together under a common historical hermeneutical umbrella that gives shape to all science, technology, and culture — even to theology (see below). I doff my hat with respect — and deep appreciation — to Stephen and Allan. But I continue to muse: surely it took a slew (Gaelic from ‘sluagh,’ a tribe) to change such a strongly entrenched tradition of which Gadamer was chief! Who were the members of this tribe? Stephen, of course, was one, a special one. Allan too, and Babette Babich — and others. I still recall with excitement my encounter with Gadamer at Boston College in April 1974 when I spoke up to challenge him about his exclusion of the natural sciences and technology from the umbrella of human hermeneutic constitution. Memories, warm memories!