Leeway (interpretation)
Under a room for interpretation understands Hermeneutik as a science and theory of interpretation of meaning a frame which, within certain limits, different explanations of a fact, a text, an oral statement , a behavior, a work of art allows.
Characteristic
These scope for explanation are subjective interpretative approaches within a range of different possible interpretations. However, these must be based on comprehensible justifications in order to find intersubjective approval and thus be accepted. Scope for interpretation results on the one hand from the complexity or fuzziness of the underlying object and on the other hand from the possibility of viewing a phenomenon from different perspectives. Room for interpretation opens up e.g. B. in the interpretation of prophecies, texts, statements, body signals, behaviors, works of art or events.
Application areas in examples
The scope for different interpretations is an essential characteristic of hermeneutics , and this in turn characterizes the methodical approach in almost all areas of the humanities . But it can also be found in more scientifically oriented disciplines such as medicine. The use of the scope for interpretation and the discussion about the most credible explanation are part of the standard program, for example in philology , theology , mantic , anthropology , psychology , diplomacy , literary studies , poetry or the fine arts , law or medical diagnostics.
Mantic / divination
The art of mantic (= future interpretation) or divination (= exploration of the divine will) already had great political importance in ancient times, for example with the oracle of Delphi . They determined wars and the fate of the rulers. The prophecies were deliberately kept ambiguous. They required an interpretation which was left to the applicant's discretion and which only provided the correct prediction of the future with the correct interpretation. The open room for interpretation and the always correct result ensured the oracle's credibility and acceptance. It was entirely up to the person concerned to read and interpret it correctly.
theology
In the sense of the natural sciences, theology is not an “exact” science that could appeal to natural laws. Your ambiguous testimonies require clarification in order to be understood, especially since they are usually based on a very old tradition, often oral traditions, foreign-language texts and symbolic, image-rich language. The method used to interpret the text is also known as exegesis . The so-called Biblical Exegesis , for example, is responsible for understanding difficult text passages from the fundamental book of Christian teaching.
psychology
In its practical areas of application, psychology is confronted with a spectrum of possible interpretations. In the naturally given scope for interpretation, it must try to find out the most likely facts about the assessment of a person's psyche, motives and actions on the basis of evidence and scientific analyzes . The correct assessment of the offender, the appropriate psychotherapy or the most promising study recommendation depend on the reality of the findings . Psychoanalysis , too , with its traditional field of work of dream interpretation, has a considerable scope for interpretation to explore. According to CG Jung , dreams reveal themselves in their own imagery that has to be deciphered and understood.
philology
The text interpretation of prose writings and the interpretation of poems as a deciphering technique for lyrical texts belong in the field of philology .
The creations of both literary genres are usually only accessible to a few people on their deeper levels of understanding without expert interpretation help. With the publication, poets usually give up the interpretation of their literary works. For the readers and critics, this gives rise to leeway for interpretation, which, however, must move within the framework of the regularities of structure, visual language, content and meaning, i.e. of shape and content. They must be consistent and understandable for the reader in accordance with the various linguistic components. The more profound, symbolic , allegory and metaphorical the individual language creation presents itself, the greater the scope for exploring and understanding the text .
Visual arts
.
In the fine arts , the scope for unlocking the work of art expands with the degree of abstraction of the representation. Many artists consciously give their work a variety of possible interpretations in order to challenge the viewer to a personal examination and to turn the work of art into an individual discovery experience, to which everyone should develop their own approach. The interpretation of pictorial symbols is a fundamental task of iconography and iconology .
performing Arts
The performing arts of the actor, the dancer, the singer or the violin virtuoso leave the individual artist, conductor, orchestra scope for personal understanding and the corresponding interpretation when performing masterpieces. They are therefore also referred to as "interpreters", who are not only allowed their own conception of the work of art. It is expected even by the viewer and listener. The given scope allows the artist an unmistakable personal achievement.
Legal system
Unclearly formulated regulations and legal texts give lawyers and judges a certain amount of leeway for interpretation and decision-making for the prosecution, defense and decision-making. The need for legal interpretation , and for using the discretion results in jurisprudence often, however, disagreements and legal disenchantment because the verdict, and the justifications do not meet their own interpretation and assessment of the underlying facts. It is in the nature of things that different people use the given range of interpretations differently. In a decision of October 19, 1993, the Federal Constitutional Court formulated the following as a legal instruction for the civil courts with regard to the liability of financially overwhelmed guarantors for the debts of third parties:
"How you have to proceed and what result you have to reach, is primarily a question of simple law, to which the constitution leaves a lot of leeway" .
diplomacy
Due to controversial ideas, difficult negotiations and ultimately necessary compromises, agreements often arise in the field of diplomacy and political agreements that allow each of the parties involved leeway for interpretation according to their own ideas. These vague regulations, known as “ formula compromises ”, usually lead to new tensions if the scope for interpretation is too large and unsuitable for effective practical consequences.
Idioms
- “Leave room for interpretation” : The compromise formula found gives each party room for interpretation according to their own convictions.
- “Exhausting the leeway for interpretation” : The court ruling has exhausted the leeway for different interpretations that the legal text leaves in favor of the accused.
literature
- Emilio Betti: Hermeneutics as a general methodology in the humanities. Tubingen 1962.
- Wolfram Hogrebe (Ed.): Mantik. Profiles of prognostic knowledge in science and culture . Königshausen and Neumann, Würzburg 2005, ISBN 3-8260-3262-4 .
- CG Jung: Traum und Traumdeutung , paperback edition in eleven volumes, edited by Lorenz Jung. 12th edition. 2005, ISBN 3-423-35173-X .
- Ulrich HJ Körtner: Introduction to theological hermeneutics . Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 2006, ISBN 3-534-15740-0 .
- Günter Mey: Recognize and use scope for interpretation - reflections for understanding meaning. Review of: Jürgen Straub: Action, Interpretation, Criticism. Basics of a textual action and cultural psychology . Berlin / New York: Walter de Gruyter 1999, XI + 4.
- Frank Naumann: The Art of Diplomacy. 20 laws for gentle winners . Rowohlt, Reinbek 2003, ISBN 3-499-61570-3 .
- Erwin Panofsky: Sense and Interpretation in Fine Art . Dumont, Cologne 1975.
- Helmut Seiffert: Introduction to Hermeneutics. The teaching of interpretation in the specialist sciences. Francke, Tübingen 1992, ISBN 3-8252-1666-7 .
- Siegbert Warwitz: Sport in the Mirror of Language - an Analysis of Metaphors . Tübingen 1967.
Web links
Single receipts
- ^ Emilio Betti: The hermeneutics as a general methodology of the humanities. Tubingen 1962
- ↑ Wolfram Hogrebe (Ed.): Mantik. Profiles of prognostic knowledge in science and culture . Königshausen and Neumann, Würzburg 2005
- ↑ Ulrich HJ Körtner: Introduction to theological hermeneutics . Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 2006
- ↑ CG Jung: Dream and Dream Interpretation . Volume 4, edited by Lorenz Jung. 12th edition. 2005, p. 50ff
- ↑ Günter Mey: Recognize and use scope for interpretation - reflections on understanding meaning , review of: Jürgen Straub: Action, Interpretation, Criticism. Basics of a textual action and cultural psychology . Berlin / New York: Walter de Gruyter 1999, XI + 4
- ^ Siegbert Warwitz: On the interpretation of visual language. In: Ders .: Sport in the mirror of language - an analysis of metaphors . Tübingen 1967.
- ↑ Erwin Panofsky: Sense and Interpretation in the Fine Arts . Dumont, Cologne 1975
- ↑ BVerfGE 89, 214, 234
- ↑ Frank Naumann: The art of diplomacy. 20 laws for gentle winners . Rowohlt, Reinbek 2003