Cover -- Copyright -- Contents -- Abbreviations and references -- Introduction: What is hermeneutics? -- 1. Schleiermacher's universal hermeneutics -- 2. Dilthey's hermeneutic understanding -- 3. Heidegger's hermeneutic ontology -- 4. Hermeneutics in the later Heidegger -- 5. Gadamer's theory of hermeneutic experience -- 6. Gadamer's ontological turn towards language -- 7. Hermeneutic controversies -- Questions for discussion and revision -- Further reading -- Index.