I think all understanding and therefore all learning is hermeneutic.

I was persuaded by Hans-Georg Gadamer’s magnum opus, Truth and Method.

I think his theory, which he called “philosophical hermeneutics,” is a skeleton key for understanding our understanding.

Right around the time he published the book, there was a large shift in academic fashion towards critical theory and deconstructionism, of which Gadamer is neither.

The result is that Gadamer and his work took a backseat to critical theory.

We lost something important in that shift.

Others recognized the importance of Gadamer’s work but diluted it by trying to merge it with their pet theories (Ricoeur with critical theory, Rorty with American-style pragmatism).

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That said, Gadamer’s work is dense but not impenetrable. And it is beautiful. And profound. Go forth and read!