Interpretativisme

Interpretativisme is a philosophical and methodological stance in the social sciences that emphasizes the central role of human interpretation in the construction of social reality. It holds that phenomena in social life are understood through the meanings that actors attach to them, and that knowledge emerges from empathic, contextually grounded understanding rather than from objective measurement alone. Drawing on hermeneutics, phenomenology, and the work of Wilhelm Dilthey and Max Weber (Verstehen), interpretativisme treats social action as meaningful and context-bound.

In this approach, researchers seek to uncover how people interpret situations, symbols, and practices. Methods are typically qualitative: in-depth interviews, participant observation, case studies, and textual or discourse analysis. Analysis aims to produce thick descriptions and interpretive theories that explain how meanings are constructed and sustained in specific contexts. Reflexivity and the researcher's own position are considered important to credibility.

Epistemologically, interpretativisme prioritizes understanding over prediction and generalization. Findings are viewed as context-dependent and transferable rather than universally generalizable. Validity is pursued through credibility, triangulation, thick description, and, where possible, participant validation.

Critics argue that interpretativisme can suffer from limited generalizability, potential researcher bias, and challenges to reliability. Proponents respond that not all knowledge seeks universality and that depth of understanding can illuminate social processes more effectively in many domains. Applications span sociology, anthropology, education, organizational studies, and related fields where meaning, culture, and social interaction are central.