ABSTRACT
In chapter one strong hermeneutics was characterized as a ‘realist’ philosophy. Its realist character arises from its espousal of two basic principles: first, that horizons of significance open up a space which is habitable by non-instrumental reason; and second, that concerning strong evaluations there is a truth to the matter. It has already been noted that, like all types of hermeneutics, strong hermeneutics insists with normative force on the irreducible diversity of horizons of significance and frameworks of strong evaluation. The issue to be explored in this chapter is how strong hermeneutics attempts to make these two commitments – to realism and pluralism – compatible.
