Meaning and the Problematic of Understanding

An Interpretive-Hermeneutic Reading

Abstract

Language is a means of investigating, discovering, and penetrating what is declared and undeclared, in order to knock on the doors of knowledge. This requires activating the quality of understanding and everything that obstructs self-understanding and hidden existence. Language is no longer a traditional means; rather, it is a blessing, but “the most dangerous of blessings,” as Heldren puts it. We do not speak it, but it speaks through us. It is the source of our inspiration and revelation of things through understanding, interpretation, and explanation. There is no clearer evidence of this than the fact that the understanding self no longer needs what is objectively achieved, as much as the self achieves it, after hermeneutics has transcended the search for objective truth, which is no longer a desired goal, whether at the level of language, meaning, or significance.

We are not required to see what others see; things seem to be closely related to their owner, and each of us approaches language in his or her own way, laden with meanings, ideas, and values ​​that differ from others. We present our own visions for understanding the world through revelation, interpretation, and explanation, far removed from comparison, comparison, or conformity. For example, pleasure and beauty may be achieved when language signs deviate and its indicative properties are disrupted. We are not always meant to understand or search for what is said. Rather, we seek, through understanding, interpretation, and explanation, another meaning not expressed by the discourse or text. The value of meaning now lies in difference Desire is not sufficient to explore the creation of possibilities not implied by the text. Proponents of the pragmatic approach have realized this and have transcended previous approaches in their linguistic investigations. They have attempted to expand narrow perspectives and dive into the speaker’s intentions and the recipient’s intuition, addressing them within their own interpretive contexts to avoid the obstacles of misunderstanding arising from ambiguity and vagueness. Meaning is no longer a given, defined within the text, nor is it fixed and absolute without subjective intervention. Rather, it is constantly changing and multiple. Hence, the new hermeneutics brought us ideas related to the recycling of power. The text no longer controls the construction of meaning, as the recipient is able to diversify his choices and adapt his ideas, with the aim of expanding knowledge, adding and deleting what he deems appropriate, in a manner consistent with the contemporary values ​​and circumstances of the given society. and non-conformity. The search for truth has become an illusion inconsistent with changing reality.

    The idea of this study revolves around defining meaning in light of the problem of understanding as an interpretive cognitive process subject to different cognitive and cultural contexts. The idea of the topic also includes defining the dialectical relationship between meaning and the ability to produce, interpret, and understand it, as an integral part related to the linguistic behavior that the language user adopts in his relationship with others. Hence, this study hopes to achieve objective results in this field that will be added to the results achieved by previous studies in this field, according to an approach based on discussion and analysis.