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5 - The Humanities

Interpretation, Judgment, and the Evolution of National Narratives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2023

Walter Feinberg
Walter Feinberg
Affiliation:
University of Illinois
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Summary

Abstract: This chapter addresses the tension between truth and social cohesion. Since all stories are interpretation of some event or behavior, the examined life is always an interpretation of an interpretation. But the interpretation of one’s own national history is not of some distant object: It is of the self, and it has a purpose – to open up and explore the possibilities that the past offers in the present for the future. This chapter examines the qualities of a good interpretation and role of the humanities in shaping it. I show how progress in interpretation is possible and argue for a dialogical view of interpretation where meanings evolve as contexts change, as new knowledge becomes available, and as the implications of different possible interpretations become clearer.

Keywords

Keywords: interpretationjudgmenthumanitiescritical race theoryracismdialogical view of meaning
Type
Chapter
Information
Educating for Democracy , pp. 68 - 79
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • The Humanities
  • Walter Feinberg, University of Illinois
  • Book: Educating for Democracy
  • Online publication: 20 April 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009219297.006
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  • The Humanities
  • Walter Feinberg, University of Illinois
  • Book: Educating for Democracy
  • Online publication: 20 April 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009219297.006
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Humanities
  • Walter Feinberg, University of Illinois
  • Book: Educating for Democracy
  • Online publication: 20 April 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009219297.006
Available formats
×