Dilthey, Wilhelm in Philosophy
Wilhelm Dilthey was a German philosopher who lived between the years 1833 and 1911. He is known for his contributions in the field of philosophy of history, hermeneutics and theory of knowledge. Dilthey was one of the main representatives of the movement known as historicism, which sought to understand human reality through the analysis of cultural and historical manifestations.
Wilhelm Dilthey Biography
Wilhelm Dilthey was born on November 19, 1833, in Biebrich, Germany. He studied philosophy, theology and history at the University of Heidelberg and the University of Berlin. During his studies, Dilthey was influenced by philosophers such as Friedrich Schleiermacher and Friedrich Hegel, who led him to become interested in the philosophy of history and hermeneutics.
During his academic career, Dilthey held teaching positions at several German universities, including those in Basel, Kiel and Berlin. He was also a member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences and the Prussian Academy of Sciences. His best-known work, “Introduction to Human Sciences”, was published in 1883 and had a significant impact on the field of philosophy.
Dilthey's Contributions to Philosophy
Wilhelm Dilthey made important contributions to philosophy, especially in the areas of philosophy of history, hermeneutics and theory of knowledge. He defended the idea that understanding human reality could not be achieved through objective scientific methods, but rather through the interpretation of cultural and historical manifestations.
For Dilthey, history and culture are fundamental to understanding the human experience. He argued that each era has its own way of thinking and relating to the world, and that it is necessary to take these differences into account to adequately understand the meaning of human actions and works.
Hermeneutics and Understanding
One of Dilthey's main contributions to philosophy was the development of hermeneutics as a method of interpretation. He argued that interpretation is essential for understanding human reality, since human actions and works are loaded with meaning.
According to Dilthey, hermeneutics consists of a process of understanding that involves the interpretation of texts, works of art and other cultural manifestations. He argued that interpretation is not an objective process, but rather a subjective one, as the interpreter brings with them their own experiences and perspectives.
Theory of Knowledge
Wilhelm Dilthey also made important contributions to the theory of knowledge. He argued that human knowledge is always conditioned by the historical and cultural context in which it is inserted. For Dilthey, knowledge is not something absolute and objective, but rather relative and subjective.
He defended the idea that knowledge is always interpretative, since it is always related to human experience. According to Dilthey, knowledge cannot be reduced to general and universal laws, but must take into account particularities and individual differences.
Influence and Legacy
Wilhelm Dilthey's contributions to philosophy have had a significant impact on the field of human thought. His defense of the importance of history, culture and interpretation influenced several later philosophers and theorists, such as Martin Heidegger and Hans-Georg Gadamer.
Furthermore, Dilthey's ideas also had an influence on the field of human sciences, such as psychology and sociology. His hermeneutic approach and his emphasis on understanding human experience contributed to the development of these disciplines.
Conclusion
Wilhelm Dilthey was a German philosopher who made important contributions to the philosophy of history, hermeneutics and the theory of knowledge. His defense of the importance of history, culture and interpretation influenced several later philosophers and theorists, in addition to impacting the field of human sciences. Through his works, Dilthey invites us to reflect on the complexity of the human experience and the importance of taking into account the historical and cultural context to understand it properly.
