ABSTRACT
I start by positively explaining the goal, relevant characteristic features, and emphases of the philosophical interpretation of target texts in the context of cross-tradition philosophical engagement; then I explain a three-phase characterization of the engagement process for philosophical interpretation and textual analysis; in so doing, I suggest a “synchronic-multiple-dimension” model and introduce a number of engagement-guiding and engagement-enhancing contributors, to be further explained in the subsequent discussion. Then I examine two significant issues involved in philosophical interpretation: the “external-resources-employment” issue and the “generalization” issue. In examining the former, I explain in what sense and to what extents the relevant “external” and “present” resources are in serious need for the sake of cross-tradition philosophical engagement, and I endeavor to identify some due guidelines for the appropriate or non-excessive employment of external resources and for overcoming excessive employment. In examining the “generalization” issue, I explain two major types of overgeneralization: the overgeneralization regarding “perspective-status” and the overgeneralization regarding “issue-identity” and thus suggest how to overcome the “overgeneralization” problem. Finally, I also examine the issue of how it is possible for specialists in distinct relevant connections to jointly contribute in cross-tradition engagement through philosophical interpretation.
