Publications
Book
Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other
Lexington Books, 2010
Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other examines the ethical dimensions of understanding by focusing on Gadamer's concept of "play" as it is developed in his magnum opus Truth and Method. Monica Vilhauer argues for the global relevance of play in Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics by revealing play as the key concept that depicts the process of all understanding—that is, the dynamic, dialogical, and interpretive process by which interlocutors come to grasp a common subject matter together. Through the lens of dialogue-play, the book focuses on openness toward one's dialogue partner, respect for his differing point of view, and a willingness to learn from him in conversation as crucial ethical conditions of genuine understanding. The book aims to revive the ethical heart of philosophical hermeneutics and reveal the transforming power of the Other in Gadamer's hermeneutics.
While Gadamer's Ethics of Play develops philosophical hermeneutics as an ethical philosophy, in the style of the older tradition of Aristotelian practical philosophy, it is finally critical of the extent to which Gadamer's hermeneutics can be used as a guide to practice. The book points out our need for guidance when we face our most prevalent obstacle to understanding—a closedness to the Other, or unwillingness to engage in conversation—but finds no guidance from Gadamer in scenarios where ethical conditions are lacking. Inspired by Gadamer's discussion of play, the book searches for types of human interaction that might have the power to open or re-open the play of dialogue between those who have become closed to each other, so that true understanding between them can be developed. The book is accessible to an undergraduate audience, while also being relevant to ongoing debates among Gadamer scholars.
Reviews:
In this engaging and lucid journey to the heart of Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics, Vilhauer probes the concept of play and elucidates its rich ethical significance. She forcefully answers critics who claim that hermeneutics does not do justice to alterity, and she offers a fresh interpretation of the 'fusion of horizons.' She pursues the limits of hermeneutics and shows how we can break through the barriers of those who refuse to open themselves to genuine dialogue. This is at once an excellent introduction to hermeneutics and a strong defense of Gadamer.
— Richard J. Bernstein, New School for Social Research
Interpreters of Gadamer’s account of play have typically considered it only a part of his view of aesthetic understanding. Vilhauer shows us the central role it possesses in his hermeneutics as a whole. In doing so, she puts paid to criticisms that accuse Gadamer of being insufficiently attentive to the otherness of the Other and she delineates a new ethics of openness. This is a lovely book.
— Georgia Warnke, University of California, Riverside
More Reviews:
"Book Plug: Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other by Monica Vilhauer" by Cynthia Nielsen
"Book Review: Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other" by Chad Carlson
"What Are You Reading" by Neil Baker
Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other
Lexington Books, 2010
Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other examines the ethical dimensions of understanding by focusing on Gadamer's concept of "play" as it is developed in his magnum opus Truth and Method. Monica Vilhauer argues for the global relevance of play in Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics by revealing play as the key concept that depicts the process of all understanding—that is, the dynamic, dialogical, and interpretive process by which interlocutors come to grasp a common subject matter together. Through the lens of dialogue-play, the book focuses on openness toward one's dialogue partner, respect for his differing point of view, and a willingness to learn from him in conversation as crucial ethical conditions of genuine understanding. The book aims to revive the ethical heart of philosophical hermeneutics and reveal the transforming power of the Other in Gadamer's hermeneutics.
While Gadamer's Ethics of Play develops philosophical hermeneutics as an ethical philosophy, in the style of the older tradition of Aristotelian practical philosophy, it is finally critical of the extent to which Gadamer's hermeneutics can be used as a guide to practice. The book points out our need for guidance when we face our most prevalent obstacle to understanding—a closedness to the Other, or unwillingness to engage in conversation—but finds no guidance from Gadamer in scenarios where ethical conditions are lacking. Inspired by Gadamer's discussion of play, the book searches for types of human interaction that might have the power to open or re-open the play of dialogue between those who have become closed to each other, so that true understanding between them can be developed. The book is accessible to an undergraduate audience, while also being relevant to ongoing debates among Gadamer scholars.
Reviews:
In this engaging and lucid journey to the heart of Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics, Vilhauer probes the concept of play and elucidates its rich ethical significance. She forcefully answers critics who claim that hermeneutics does not do justice to alterity, and she offers a fresh interpretation of the 'fusion of horizons.' She pursues the limits of hermeneutics and shows how we can break through the barriers of those who refuse to open themselves to genuine dialogue. This is at once an excellent introduction to hermeneutics and a strong defense of Gadamer.
— Richard J. Bernstein, New School for Social Research
Interpreters of Gadamer’s account of play have typically considered it only a part of his view of aesthetic understanding. Vilhauer shows us the central role it possesses in his hermeneutics as a whole. In doing so, she puts paid to criticisms that accuse Gadamer of being insufficiently attentive to the otherness of the Other and she delineates a new ethics of openness. This is a lovely book.
— Georgia Warnke, University of California, Riverside
More Reviews:
"Book Plug: Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other by Monica Vilhauer" by Cynthia Nielsen
"Book Review: Gadamer's Ethics of Play: Hermeneutics and the Other" by Chad Carlson
"What Are You Reading" by Neil Baker
Articles
"Overturning Soul-Body Dualism in Plato's Timaeus"
Forthcoming Chapter in the book Otherwise than the Binary: Towards Feminist Readings of Ancient Greek Philosophy, Magic and Mystery Traditions, eds. Danielle A. Layne and Jessica Elbert Decker
“Verbal and Non-verbal Forms of Play: Words and Bodies in the Process of Understanding”
Chapter in the book Inheriting Gadamer: New Directions in Philosophical Hermeneutics, ed. Georgia Warnke (Edinburgh University Press, 2016)
“Gadamer and the Game of Understanding: Dialogue Play and Opening to the Other” Chapter in the book The Philosophy of Play, eds. Ryall, Russell, Maclean (Routledge, 2013)
“Beyond the ‘Fusion of Horizons’: Gadamer’s Notion of Understanding as ‘Play’” Published in Philosophy Today 53:4 (Winter, 2009)
“Socratic Dialogue and the Ethical Conditions of Knowledge” Published in Skepsis Journal Vol. XVI i-ii (2005)
“Understanding the Play-Structure of Understanding: The Model of Art”
Published in the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy Journal (2004-2005)
“Wittgensteinian Ethics: Acknowledgement, Response and Return to the Everyday”
Published in the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy Journal (2003-2004)
"Overturning Soul-Body Dualism in Plato's Timaeus"
Forthcoming Chapter in the book Otherwise than the Binary: Towards Feminist Readings of Ancient Greek Philosophy, Magic and Mystery Traditions, eds. Danielle A. Layne and Jessica Elbert Decker
“Verbal and Non-verbal Forms of Play: Words and Bodies in the Process of Understanding”
Chapter in the book Inheriting Gadamer: New Directions in Philosophical Hermeneutics, ed. Georgia Warnke (Edinburgh University Press, 2016)
“Gadamer and the Game of Understanding: Dialogue Play and Opening to the Other” Chapter in the book The Philosophy of Play, eds. Ryall, Russell, Maclean (Routledge, 2013)
“Beyond the ‘Fusion of Horizons’: Gadamer’s Notion of Understanding as ‘Play’” Published in Philosophy Today 53:4 (Winter, 2009)
“Socratic Dialogue and the Ethical Conditions of Knowledge” Published in Skepsis Journal Vol. XVI i-ii (2005)
“Understanding the Play-Structure of Understanding: The Model of Art”
Published in the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy Journal (2004-2005)
“Wittgensteinian Ethics: Acknowledgement, Response and Return to the Everyday”
Published in the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy Journal (2003-2004)
Presentations
"Overturning Soul-Body Dualism in Plato's Timaeus"
Presented at the Otherwise than the Binary online conference, Summer 2017
"The Ethical Dimensions of Understanding in Gadamer's Hermeneutics"
Presented at the Lewis & Clark College Philosophy Department Colloquium Series, Spring 2016
"The Play-Process of Understanding, and the Hermeneutic Dimensions of Computer Games"
Keynote Address at the Philosophy of Computer Games Conference, Berlin, Germany, Fall 2015
“Verbal and Non-verbal Forms of Play: Words and Bodies in the Process of Understanding”
Presented at the NASPH Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, Fall 2015
(North American Society for Philosophical Hermeneutics)
Presented at the "Thinking the Plural" Symposium (in honor of Richard Bernstein), Muhlenburg College, PA, Fall 2015
“The Ethical Dimensions of Play”
Presented at “The Value of Play: Advancing Play” conference, Winter 2015
(Annual conference of the US Play Coalition, Clemson University, SC)
“Beyond Dialogue: Gadamer, Play, and an Ethics of Life”
Presented at the “Ethics of Play” conference in Prague, Czech Republic, Fall 2014
“On the Question of Understanding Nature: The Two Voices of Gadamer”
Presented at SPEP annual conference, New Orleans, LA, Fall 2014
(Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy)
“Overturning Soul-Body Dualism in Plato’s Timaeus”
Presented at APS Annual Conference, Tampa, FL, Spring 2014 (Ancient Philosophy Society)
“Sickness and Rehabilitation in Plato’s Timaeus: Retrieving the Value of the Body and Pursuing the Holistic Good Life”
Presented at SAGP Annual Conference, Fordham Universtiy, NY, Fall 2013
(Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy)
“Socrates, the ‘Love Doctor’: Philosophic Therapy in Ancient Greece”
Presented at “Love: A Conference on the Theological Virtues,” Viterbo University, WI, Spring 2013
“Socrates, the Love Doctor of Ancient Athens”
Presented at the Collegium Phaenomenologicum Participants’ Conference, Italy, Summer 2012
“The Game of Understanding: Dialogue-Play and Opening to the Other”
Keynote Address at “Philosophy at Play” Conference, University of Gloucestershire, England, Spring 2011
“Broadening Gadamer’s Ethics of Play”
Presented at NASPH Annual Meeting, Seattle University, WA, Fall 2010
(North American Society for Philosophical Hermeneutics)
“The Social Construction of Sex, Gender, and Sexuality” Panel
Panel presentation at Roanoke College Lambda Alliance Event, Fall 2010
(with Meeta Mehrotra and Shannon Anderson)
“Beyond the Fusion of Horizons: Gadamer’s Notion of Understanding as Play”
Presented at the Eastern APA (main program), Philadelphia, PA, Winter 2008
“At Play With the Hermeneutic Other: Re-Focusing Gadamer’s Conception of Understanding”
Presented at SPEP (main program), Pittsburgh, PA, Fall 2008
“Wittgensteinian Ethics?”
Presented at the NAWS annual meeting, Pacific APA, CA, Spring 2007
(North American Wittgenstein Society)
“’The Day I Became a Woman’: A Feminist Response”
Presented at the Roanoke College Iranian Film Series, Roanoke College, VA, Fall 2006
“Socratic Dialogue and the Ethical Conditions of Knowledge”
Presented at the XVIth International Symposium of the
Olympic Center for Philosophy and Culture, Ancient Olympia, Greece, Summer 2005
“Understanding the Play-Structure of Understanding: The Model of Art”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Fall 2004
“Wittgensteinian Ethics: Acknowledgement, Response and Return to the Everyday”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Spring 2004
“Exclusive, First Person Knowledge: A Feminist Response to Traditional Epistemology”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Spring 2000
“Religion & Strength in Nietzsche”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Spring 1999
Presented at the Otherwise than the Binary online conference, Summer 2017
"The Ethical Dimensions of Understanding in Gadamer's Hermeneutics"
Presented at the Lewis & Clark College Philosophy Department Colloquium Series, Spring 2016
"The Play-Process of Understanding, and the Hermeneutic Dimensions of Computer Games"
Keynote Address at the Philosophy of Computer Games Conference, Berlin, Germany, Fall 2015
“Verbal and Non-verbal Forms of Play: Words and Bodies in the Process of Understanding”
Presented at the NASPH Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, Fall 2015
(North American Society for Philosophical Hermeneutics)
Presented at the "Thinking the Plural" Symposium (in honor of Richard Bernstein), Muhlenburg College, PA, Fall 2015
“The Ethical Dimensions of Play”
Presented at “The Value of Play: Advancing Play” conference, Winter 2015
(Annual conference of the US Play Coalition, Clemson University, SC)
“Beyond Dialogue: Gadamer, Play, and an Ethics of Life”
Presented at the “Ethics of Play” conference in Prague, Czech Republic, Fall 2014
“On the Question of Understanding Nature: The Two Voices of Gadamer”
Presented at SPEP annual conference, New Orleans, LA, Fall 2014
(Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy)
“Overturning Soul-Body Dualism in Plato’s Timaeus”
Presented at APS Annual Conference, Tampa, FL, Spring 2014 (Ancient Philosophy Society)
“Sickness and Rehabilitation in Plato’s Timaeus: Retrieving the Value of the Body and Pursuing the Holistic Good Life”
Presented at SAGP Annual Conference, Fordham Universtiy, NY, Fall 2013
(Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy)
“Socrates, the ‘Love Doctor’: Philosophic Therapy in Ancient Greece”
Presented at “Love: A Conference on the Theological Virtues,” Viterbo University, WI, Spring 2013
“Socrates, the Love Doctor of Ancient Athens”
Presented at the Collegium Phaenomenologicum Participants’ Conference, Italy, Summer 2012
“The Game of Understanding: Dialogue-Play and Opening to the Other”
Keynote Address at “Philosophy at Play” Conference, University of Gloucestershire, England, Spring 2011
“Broadening Gadamer’s Ethics of Play”
Presented at NASPH Annual Meeting, Seattle University, WA, Fall 2010
(North American Society for Philosophical Hermeneutics)
“The Social Construction of Sex, Gender, and Sexuality” Panel
Panel presentation at Roanoke College Lambda Alliance Event, Fall 2010
(with Meeta Mehrotra and Shannon Anderson)
“Beyond the Fusion of Horizons: Gadamer’s Notion of Understanding as Play”
Presented at the Eastern APA (main program), Philadelphia, PA, Winter 2008
“At Play With the Hermeneutic Other: Re-Focusing Gadamer’s Conception of Understanding”
Presented at SPEP (main program), Pittsburgh, PA, Fall 2008
“Wittgensteinian Ethics?”
Presented at the NAWS annual meeting, Pacific APA, CA, Spring 2007
(North American Wittgenstein Society)
“’The Day I Became a Woman’: A Feminist Response”
Presented at the Roanoke College Iranian Film Series, Roanoke College, VA, Fall 2006
“Socratic Dialogue and the Ethical Conditions of Knowledge”
Presented at the XVIth International Symposium of the
Olympic Center for Philosophy and Culture, Ancient Olympia, Greece, Summer 2005
“Understanding the Play-Structure of Understanding: The Model of Art”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Fall 2004
“Wittgensteinian Ethics: Acknowledgement, Response and Return to the Everyday”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Spring 2004
“Exclusive, First Person Knowledge: A Feminist Response to Traditional Epistemology”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Spring 2000
“Religion & Strength in Nietzsche”
Presented to the Graduate Faculty Women in Philosophy group, The New School, NY, Spring 1999