Cultural Hermeneutics: Essays after Unamuno and Ricoeur

by Mario Valdes

Overview

In Cultural Hermeneutics, Mario J. Valdés offers a synthesis of the hermeneutic philosophies of Miguel de Unamuno and Paul Ricoeur, a dialectical method that has formed the basis for many of Valdés’ own studies in comparative literature. As Valdés explains in these insightful essays, what Unamuno and Ricoeur shared in their hermeneutic studies was a theory of interpretation in which the meaning of a work of art comes into existence through the dialectical relationship between its creator and its readers, listeners, or viewers. Contextualizing this hermeneutic concept as it appears in the works of both philosophers, Cultural Hermeneutics presents the basis for a profound understanding of the arts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442649460
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Mario J. Valdés, FRSC is a professor emeritus in the Centre for Comparative Literature and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Toronto.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Chapter One: From Unamuno to Ricoeur
Chapter Two: Unamuno’s Hermeneutics
Chapter Three: Ricoeur’s Hermeneutics of the Creative Imagination
Conclusion: Unamuno and Ricoeur on Making Sense. The Dialectic of Order and Disorder

What People are Saying About This

Thomas Nolden

“Mario J. Valdés has a most profound knowledge of the cultural, historical, and philosophical backgrounds of both Unamuno and Ricoeur. As one of the outstanding comparatists of his generation, he is extremely well positioned to recreate the dialogue in which the oeuvres of these two authors have been engaged.”

Steven Sondrup

“For the coming generation of literary and cultural scholars, Cultural Hermeneutics is a masterpiece of historical exposition that can only be disregarded at great intellectual peril. This magnificent volume illustrates what five decades of critical thought has yielded.”

Editorial Reviews

"I would encourage readers to approach the book as if it were a tour through a curio shop. The author shows us interesting artefacts that he has discovered through his travels and shares his stories about them. When approached in this manner, the book is a delightful companion."

—Scott Davidson, Oklahoma City University, University of Toronto Quarterly, vol 87 3, Summer 2018

“Mario J. Valdés has a most profound knowledge of the cultural, historical, and philosophical backgrounds of both Unamuno and Ricoeur. As one of the outstanding comparatists of his generation, he is extremely well positioned to recreate the dialogue in which the oeuvres of these two authors have been engaged.”

—Thomas Nolden, Director, Program in Comparative Literature, Wellesley College

“For the coming generation of literary and cultural scholars, Cultural Hermeneutics is a masterpiece of historical exposition that can only be disregarded at great intellectual peril. This magnificent volume illustrates what five decades of critical thought has yielded.”

—Steven Sondrup, Department of Comparative Arts and Letters, Brigham Young University

From the Publisher

"I would encourage readers to approach the book as if it were a tour through a curio shop. The author shows us interesting artefacts that he has discovered through his travels and shares his stories about them. When approached in this manner, the book is a delightful companion."

University of Toronto Quarterly, vol 87 3, Summer 2018 - Scott Davidson