Sociology

Hermeneutics is a discipline that deals with the understanding and interpretation of linguistic and non-linguistic expressions. Traditionally, hermeneutics was originally confined to the derivation of the rightful interpretation of canonical texts, particularly in the fields of medicine, religion, and law, but contemporary definitions of hermeneutics come to encompass even the nuances of the interpretative process itself (Ramberg Gjestal, 2005).

These aspects include, but are not limited to, the characteristics of the milieu in which a specific text was written, the society, culture, and influences of the writer, and his or her presuppositions, understandings, and intentions in writing the text.

The consideration of these aspects in the interpretation of any form of communicative discourse allows the interpreter to arrive at the intended purpose of the text, as well as make an informed judgment regarding its nature and influences. This, in turn, minimizes undue speculation about the perceived meaning of the discourse and allows it to be understood in the way the writer intended.

In this regard, hermeneutics has a profound impact on the social sciences because its effective application allows us to develop a clear base of understanding, which in turn limits relativistic interpretations and skepticism about the purpose of the work.

What is phenomenology, and how can it help the social sciences
Phenomenology, in a literal sense, is the study of phenomena things in existence, their traits and qualities, etc. More importantly, phenomenology deals with these phenomena in relation to our experience of them how they appear in our consciousness and what meanings we attribute to their existence (Smith, 2008).

Applied phenomenology helps us, through reflection and speculation, become aware of the nuances within and without our being in relation to our experience of what is around us within, we come to observe the stream of our consciousness, our awareness of self, and our intents and purposes in effecting an action or experiencing a phenomenon. Without, we become aware of the same things in other people, and how these things interact (conflictcooperate) in order to create, change, or destroy phenomena.

Whereas hermeneutics makes us see the picture from the specific angle of the intent of the source, phenomenology helps us identify the multiply sources and see how they interact in order to create the big picture. In the social sciences, this translates to a better understanding of the phenomenon, because no social issue, after all, is confined to exclusively one social discipline social phenomena are always multifaceted in origin and wide-reaching in effect.