fortolkningslære

Fortolkningslære, often translated as hermeneutics, is the theory and methodology of interpretation. It originates from the interpretation of religious texts, particularly the Bible, and has since expanded to encompass the interpretation of any text, including literature, law, and historical documents. At its core, fortolkningslære seeks to understand the meaning of a text by considering its historical context, the author's intentions, and the cultural background in which it was created.

Key to fortolkningslære is the concept of the hermeneutic circle. This idea suggests that understanding the whole text requires understanding its parts, and understanding the parts requires understanding the whole. It's an ongoing process of moving between the specific details and the broader context to arrive at a comprehensive interpretation. Different schools of thought within fortolkningslære emphasize various aspects, such as the subjective experience of the interpreter or the objective meaning embedded in the text itself. Over time, fortolkningslære has evolved to address not only written texts but also the interpretation of spoken language, actions, and cultural phenomena. It remains a fundamental discipline in fields ranging from theology and philosophy to literary criticism and social sciences.