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The hermeneutic circle: a key to critical reading
Consider the context
When practising critical reading, it is crucial to be aware of the context of the text.
Before reading a text, ask :
- What do you want to gain from reading this topic?
- What are your existing beliefs?
- What do you think you know about the topic already?
- What philosophical movement does the author belong to?
- How does this text fit within their main work?
- Take into account the historical and cultural context of the text, the author, and yourself.
It is not practical to go through this process every time you read, but keeping these questions in mind will help you to understand the text.
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