Kuhn's Historicism, Hermeneutics Factors

Traditional hermeneutics and philosophy of science belong respectively to Continental tradition and Anglo-American tradition. However, since the middle periodof the 20th century, Kuhn leaded up to the new orientation of philosophy of science--historicism; meanwhile the turning from methodology to ontology in hermeneutics was completed by Gadamer。With the turning of both, there is much commonness between them on the aspect of historical consciousness.Basing on the historical consciousness, this paper analyzes the hermeneutical factors in Kuhn's thought from the following aspects.First, Kuhn and Gadamer are both confronted with similar problem, namely, how understanding could happen. Kuhn and Gadamer discuss the similar problem in the similar way, namely, searching for the essence of understanding by historical heritage. Gadamer illustrates that the real course of understanding must be grasped in the flow of history. Kuhn holds the opinion that understanding the essence of science must base on the history of science.Secondly, Kuhn and Gadamer take the similar attitudes towards traditions. They both declare that the essence of understanding needs to be grasped by tradition. Tradition composes the necessary condition of understanding. Fore-structure is given in advance by tradition, which understanding can not get rid of. Paradigm that is the tradition of science forms the scientists' fore-structure and constitutes the pre-condition of scientific research. Kuhn and Gadamer both affirm the significance of tradition and reject the viewpoint of tradition from enlightenment.Thirdly, Kuhn's opinion happens to coincide with Gadamer's opinion, namely, tradition bears the limitative characteristic and on-limits characteristic. Tradition limits the horizon and the field of problem in the understanding. Basing on the limitative characteristic of tradition, on-limits characteristic of tradition emerges. There lies the essential tension between the scientific tradition and change. Paradigms restrict the normal science research. Paradigms guide scientists to solve puzzles and expand the scope and precision. At last, science revolution emerges, the limitative factor of paradigms could midwifery a new paradigm.Lastly, on the aspect of methodology, Kuhn is cautious to admit that the hermeneutical skills play the positive role in the foundation of science, thus Kuhn's thought is completely different from the Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics. However, on the aspect of ontology, Kuhn and Gadamer reach the consensus on the problem of understanding. The consensus initiate a new way of philosophy of science-hermeneutics of science.