Hans-Georg Gadamer's philosophy of language: The hermeneutical valueof Logos and Verbum

This study examines how the idea of the incarnation contributes to Hans-Georg Gadamer's philosophy of language. It focuses on the concept of Logos/Verbum in his book Truth and Method, where he constructs a secular philosophy of language. While Truth and Method serves as the primary source, Mirela Oliva's reading of Gadamer in her article "Gadamer and Theology" is also discussed. This discussion aims to show that Gadamer's inclusion of the Logos/Verbum section is driven by an ontological concern, not a theological one. The study argues that Gadamer's philosophy of language goes beyond epistemological concerns with knowledge. Language, for Gadamer, transcends theories of naming and consensus; it possesses an ontological dimension that maintains a vital connection between word and thing. This dimension is highlighted in the Logos/Verbum section, where Gadamer contrasts the fragmented view of language in ancient Greek philosophy with the unified view found in medieval Christian theology's concept of the incarnation. By referencing the Incarnation, Gadamer seeks to preserve the memory of this unity and prevent its complete disappearance from Western thought. He argues that the Christian concept, though not explicitly recognized by theologians or philosophers, reveals a fundamental truth about language: its inherent unity. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that Gadamer's inclusion of this chapter reflects his hermeneutical approach. Through his reading of his own tradition, Gadamer seeks to establish a philosophy of language grounded in the unity and ontological dimension of language. His focus on the Incarnation is not to explain the religious concept, but to find support for his linguistic theories and reveal the interconnectedness of word, thought, and thing. Additionally, he aims to restore the dignity of language by bringing the forgotten ontological dimension of understanding back to light.