This excerpt introduces Anthony C. Thiselton's book, Why Hermeneutics? An Appeal Culminating with Ricoeur, which passionately argues for the essential relevance of hermeneutics—the theory of interpretation—within academic disciplines, particularly the humanities and theology. The text highlights how hermeneutics has evolved from primarily biblical and classical literary interpretation to address broader societal issues like pluralism and postmodern notions of subjective meaning. Thiselton champions the nuanced approaches of thinkers like Paul Ricoeur, Umberto Eco, and Hans-Georg Gadamer, who contend against radical relativism by emphasizing that while interpretation involves the reader's active engagement and perspective, texts often retain inherent structures and communicative intentions. The book's central purpose is to demonstrate that understanding involves a dynamic interplay between textual properties and reader horizons, advocating for hermeneutics as a vital, transformative skill that fosters patience, tolerance, and deeper comprehension.

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