Editing Hermeneutics (section)

== Etymology ==
''Hermeneutics'' is derived from the Greek word {{lang|grc|ἑρμηνεύω}} ({{Transliteration|grc|hermēneuō}}, "translate, interpret"),<ref>Klein, Ernest, ''A complete etymological dictionary of the English language: dealing with the origin of words and their sense development, thus illustrating the history of civilization and culture'', Elsevier, Oxford, 2000, p. 344.</ref> from {{lang|grc|ἑρμηνεύς}} ({{Transliteration|grc|hermeneus}}, "translator, interpreter"), of uncertain etymology ([[Robert S. P. Beekes|R. S. P. Beekes]] (2009) suggests a [[Pre-Greek]] origin).<ref>[[Robert S. P. Beekes|R. S. P. Beekes]], ''Etymological Dictionary of Greek'', Brill, 2009, p. 462.</ref> The technical term {{lang|grc|ἑρμηνεία}} ({{Transliteration|grc|hermeneia}}, "interpretation, explanation") was introduced into philosophy mainly through the title of [[Aristotle]]'s work {{lang|grc|Περὶ Ἑρμηνείας}} ("{{Transliteration|grc|Peri Hermeneias}}"), commonly referred to by its Latin title ''[[De Interpretatione]]'' and translated in English as ''On Interpretation''. It is one of the earliest ({{Circa|360 BCE}}) extant philosophical works in the [[Western philosophy|Western tradition]] to deal with the relationship between language and logic in a comprehensive, explicit and formal way.

The early usage of "hermeneutics" places it within the boundaries of the [[sacred]].<ref name="Grondin">Grondin, Jean (1994). Introduction to Philosophical Hermeneutics. Yale University Press. {{ISBN|0-300-05969-8}}.</ref>{{rp|21}} A [[Divinity|divine]] message must be received with implicit uncertainty regarding its truth. This ambiguity is an irrationality; it is a sort of madness that is inflicted upon the receiver of the message. Only one who possesses a rational method of interpretation (i.e., a hermeneutic) could determine the truth or falsity of the message.<ref name="Grondin" />{{rp|21–22}}

=== Folk etymology ===
[[File:Hermes Musei Capitolini MC60.jpg|thumb|right|upright|''[[Hermes]]'', messenger of the gods]]
[[Folk etymology]] places its origin with [[Hermes]], the mythological Greek [[deity]] who was the 'messenger of the gods'.<ref name="Couzen-Hoy">Hoy, David Couzens (1981). ''The Critical Circle''. [[University of California Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0520046399}}</ref> Aside from being a mediator among the gods and between the gods and men, he led souls to the [[Hades|underworld]] upon death.

Moreover, Hermes was considered the inventor of language and speech, an interpreter, a liar, a thief, and a trickster.<ref name="Couzen-Hoy" /> These multiple roles made Hermes an ideal representative figure for hermeneutics. As Socrates noted, words have the power to reveal or conceal and can deliver messages in an ambiguous way.<ref name="Couzen-Hoy" /> The Greek view of language as consisting of [[Sign (semiotics)|signs]] that could lead to truth or to falsehood was the essence of Hermes, who was said to relish the uneasiness of those who received the messages he delivered.<ref>White, R. E., & K. Cooper, ''Qualitative Research in the Post-Modern Era: Critical Approaches and Selected Methodologies'' (London: [[Springer Nature]], 2022), [https://books.google.com/books?id=r9CPEAAAQBAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&lpg=PA63&pg=PA63&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false p. 63].</ref>{{rp|63}}