From Sprachlichkeit to Phronesis: A Study on the Ethical Dimension of Gadamer’s Philosophical Hermeneutics

As an important school of philosophy in the 20th century, Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics not only focuses on the ontological interpretation of the phenomenon of understanding, but also embodies a profound ethical dimension. This paper takes “sprachlichkeit” (linguisticality) and “phronesis (practical wisdom)” as the core clues, and reveals the generative logic and practical orientation of its ethical dimension by tracing the theoretical origin of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics. The research shows that Gadamer regards language as the “house of being” and constructs the ethical horizon of understanding through the dialectics of dialogue; while phronesis, as a key category connecting hermeneutics and ethics, not only embodies the historicity and situationality of understanding, but also provides a methodology foundation for ethical judgment. Finally, this paper points out that the ethical dimension of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics has significant implications for contemporary issues, such as multicultural conflicts and ethical crisis for technology, and it provides philosophical resources for building an inclusive ethical community.