Hans-Georg Gadamer 1900-2002: A tribute from South Africa

Abstract

Three things occur in this introductory article to a volume of the South African Journal of Philosophy in tribute of Hans-Georg Gadamer who died on March 14, 2002, at the age of 102. First, some historical details of Gadamer’s life are provided. Second, the nine articles in the volume are briefly introduced. The authors are Denis Schmidt (the only non-South African), Anton van Niekerk, Bert Olivier, Andrea Hurst, Leon Fouché, Danie Strauss, Pieter Duvenage, Nirmala Pillay and Gerald Pillay. Finally, short remarks are made about the relevance of Gadamer’s work, and particularly his contribution to “understanding the nature of understanding”, for the South African situation.