The ontological understanding in the matter of truth in a work of art -on the subject of philosophical hermeneutics of H. G. Gadamer

예술 작품의 진리문제에 대한 존재론적 이해 - H. G. Gadamer의 철학적 해석학을 중심으로 -

It's a matter of ontology rather than that of cognition and methodology to discuss a work of art in Gadamer's philosophy. In addition, he emphasizes the cognitive aspect of a work of art instead of comparing forms and contents of them. For that reason, he excludes aesthetic consciousness derived from Kant first and then makes away with Schiller's theory of aesthetic education. For Gadamer, the concept of truth does not mean accord or correspondence. It would rather be an encounter. This encounter is not axed on a specific time, but a continuous and historical one. Basically. a work of art guarantees this kind of an encounter. This encounter is not based on mutual agreement through an objective standard but on recognition with mutual understanding. Therefore, prejudice or tradition should be acknowledged and respected instead of being excluded. We have only to minimize difference between them through conversation. Gadamer's ontology of a work of art is based on such a ground. The function of a work of art is not only simple satisfaction of aesthetic senses but an object of interpretation, that is, a text by presenting a ground of truth through an agreement of situation. This text reveals its meaning in the situation of author-text-reader. The appearance of this meaning is nothing but the birth of truth. Symbol-allegory and classicism show how to express this kind of truth in a work of art. It is true that Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics cannot be easily applied to interpret a concrete work of art because it just lays emphasis on the process of 'understanding' instead of a detailed analysis on an individual work. For that reason, he was criticized by some people because of this subjectivity of understanding. However, it's meaning could be changed according to the viewpoint on a work of art. There appears various structural approaches on a work of art in contemporary theory of art. Gadamer just asks the basis of such approaches instead of criticizing a specific one Therefore, a practical approach on individual work should be made separately and hermeneutics enriches the meaning of open-ending of each work of art.