Hermeneutic Inquiry: A Research Approach for Postmodern Therapists

Abstract

This paper introduces hermeneutic philosophy and inquiry to postmodern therapists. Hermeneutic inquiry is an approach to research that posits that all understanding is interpretation, and interpretation is constructed in language. It shares a common view of language with postmodern therapies, and therefore is likely to be a congenial and accessible approach to research for postmodern therapists. This paper describes one example of hermeneutic inquiry and discusses some practical implications of a hermeneutic approach to inquiry.