The Sacred and the Profane: Contemporary Demands on Hermeneutics

Hermeneutics continues to be an area of interest to many, yet recent discussions in hermeneutic theory have turned toward fringe areas - whether found in realms of post-structuralism or radical orthodoxy - that have resulted in a 'forgetfulness' of one of hermeneutics' key thinkers, Immanuel Kant. This book seeks to reaffirm Kant's place as a central thinker for hermeneutics and to challenge and support prevailing criticisms. It has been argued that Kant merely offers a theory of the subjective universality of a rational aesthetic judgement where only reason connects us to the transcendent and sensation is only a subjective and confusing factor that distracts and distorts reason. This position is challenged as well as supported by the contributors to this book, scholars who bring key issues in hermeneutics to light from American, British, and Continental perspectives, grounded in questions and concerns germane to today's culture. The discussion of hermeneutics is framed as being deliberately an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural affair. The Sacred and the Profane provides a welcome addition to contemporary discussions on hermeneutic theory through its assertion that there is still a need to support a critical approach to hermeneutics after Kant.

Pamela Sue Anderson is Fellow in Philosophy and Christian Ethics at Regent's Park College, University of Oxford Tibor Fabiny is currently Professor of English Literature at Pazmany Pater Catholic University, Head of the Department of English at Karoli Gaspar University of the Hungarian Reformed Church and Director of the Centre for Hermeneutical Research in Budapest, Hungary Jeffrey F. Keuss is Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Glasgow David E. Klemm is Professor of Theology, Ethics and Culture and Director of the School of Religion at the University of Iowa, USA Patrick McCauley is a PhD candidate in Religion and Philosophy from the University of Iowa and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Rosemont College (Women's College) where he teaches Eastern and Western Religion, Ethics, Business Literature, Women's Literature, Writing, and Politics and Reasoning John K. Riches is Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow Jacques Sys is Professor of English Literature and Language at the University of Lille III, France Denis Thouard is Professor of Literary Theory at the University of Lille III, France