Wilhelm Dilthey was a German philosopher who lived between 1833 and 1911. He is known for his contributions to the philosophy of history and hermeneutics, an interpretative approach that seeks to understand the meaning of texts and human actions. In this glossary, we will explore Dilthey's life and thoughts, highlighting his main ideas and influences.
Childhood and Training
Wilhelm Dilthey was born on November 19, 1833, in the city of Biebrich, Germany. He was the second son of an upper middle class family. His father was a civil servant and his mother was the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. From an early age, Dilthey showed an interest in philosophy and literature, which led him to study theology at the University of Heidelberg.
Philosophical Influences
During his studies in Heidelberg, Dilthey came into contact with the ideas of philosophers such as Friedrich Schleiermacher and Friedrich Hegel. Schleiermacher was an important XNUMXth-century theologian and philosopher known for his hermeneutic approach to religion. Hegel, in turn, was one of the main representatives of German idealism, whose ideas profoundly influenced Dilthey's thinking.
Contributions to the Philosophy of History
One of Dilthey's main contributions to philosophy was his approach to history as a human science. He argued that history could not be studied in the same way as the natural sciences, as it involved understanding human actions and intentions. For Dilthey, history was an interpretative discipline, which sought to understand the meaning of past events and their relationship to the present.
Hermeneutics and Understanding
Hermeneutics was another important area of study for Dilthey. He believed that interpretation was fundamental to understanding the world and human works. According to Dilthey, interpretation was not only an intellectual activity, but also a form of emotional and aesthetic experience. He argued that understanding should be based on empathy and identification with others, seeking to understand the context and motivations behind human actions.
Distinction between Natural Sciences and Human Sciences
One of Dilthey's central ideas was the distinction between the natural sciences and the human sciences. While the natural sciences sought to explain natural phenomena through causal laws, the human sciences aimed to understand human actions and intentions. Dilthey argued that understanding was the appropriate method for the human sciences, as it involved interpretation and empathy.
Criticism of Positivism
Dilthey was also a critic of positivism, a philosophical current that defended the primacy of natural sciences and the rejection of any form of knowledge that was not based on observation and experimentation. For Dilthey, positivism neglected the subjective and interpretative dimension of human experience, reducing it to mere objective facts.
Descriptive Psychology
Another area of Dilthey's interest was descriptive psychology, which sought to describe and understand the mental and emotional processes of individuals. He argued that psychology should be an interpretive science, which seeks to understand the meaning of subjective experiences and human actions. Dilthey influenced the development of phenomenological psychology, an approach that emphasizes the importance of lived experience.
Influence on Other Philosophers
Dilthey's thought exerted a great influence on other philosophers and theorists, both in his time and later. His work was fundamental to the development of phenomenology, a philosophical current that seeks to describe and understand human experience directly, without resorting to theories or abstract concepts. Philosophers such as Martin Heidegger and Hans-Georg Gadamer were influenced by Dilthey's ideas.
Legacy and Importance
Wilhelm Dilthey's legacy in philosophy is significant. His contributions to the philosophy of history, hermeneutics, and descriptive psychology opened new avenues for the study of the human sciences. His emphasis on understanding and interpretation influenced several areas of knowledge, including sociology, anthropology and psychology. Dilthey is considered one of the main representatives of humanist and interpretative thought in the XNUMXth century.
Conclusion
In summary, Wilhelm Dilthey was a German philosopher who made important contributions to the philosophy of history, hermeneutics and descriptive psychology. His interpretative approach and his emphasis on understanding and interpretation influenced several areas of knowledge. His legacy continues to this day, being studied and debated by philosophers, theorists and scholars of the human sciences.
