The articulation of a scientific domain from the viewpoint of hermeneutic phenomenology

the case of vectorial metabolism

Dimitri Ginev

Софийски университет Св Климент Охридски

pp. 7-30

in: Babette Babich, Dimitri Ginev (eds), The multidimensionality of hermeneutic phenomenology, Berlin, Springer, 2014

Abstract

By making use of an approach stemming from hermeneutic phenomenology, this paper explores the constitution of meaningful objects in the domain of vectorial biochemistry. At stake are both theoretical objects related to anisotropic processes of trans-membrane transport and objects of inquiry contextually ready to hand within a configuration of scientific practices. The concept of the hermeneutic fore-structure of scientific research is discussed. The domain's formal, conceptual and experimental articulation gets fore-structured in the horizon of possibilities projected by the interrelated practices. The appropriation of possibilities constitutes meaningful objects. Some basic trends of the domain's articulation are addressed through analyzing three aspects of interpretative fore-structuring.