A SYNTHESIS OF ACADEMIC ARTICLES ON RE-LEARNING TO BE HUMAN FOR GLOBAL TIMES: THE ROLE OF HERMENEUTICS IN PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the academic articles that have been presenting at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Ayutthaya, Thailand, on August 3-4, 2018. Data was collected from 11 papers that have prepared full paper and published in the proceedings. Knowledge sharing and discussion were also used for collecting the idea from scholars. This paper was analyzed in order to generate body of knowledge relating to re-learning to be human for global times which focusing the role of hermeneutics in philosophy and religious studies. Result indicated that five sessions were divided into sub-theme of the conference. Session I Hermeneutical Understanding in a Multiple World consisted of A Critique of the Effectiveness of Philosophical Hermeneutics in Creating Religious Solidarity by a Hermeneutical Approach to the Transcendental Unity of Religions, and Hermeneutical Understanding of the Concept of Being. Session II Hermeneutics in Islamic Thought and Hindu Tradition consisted of Hermeneutics in Islam: A Case Study of India, and The Role Hermeneutics in Understanding the Text of the Bhagavadgītā. Session III Hermeneutics in the Western Traditions consisted of The Epistemological Challenge of Kierkegaard’s Truth is Subjectivity Principle: A Case Study in Theological Hermeneutics, and on Philosophical Hermeneutics and the Religions Other: Religious Transcendence in Hermeneutics and the Challenges of Inter-Religious Dialogue. Session IV Hermeneutic Implications consisted of Nāgārjūna’s Challenge to Ancient Buddhist Hermeneutics: An Inquiry into Evolving Emptiness (Śūnyatā) Doctrine in Buddhism, Influence of Christianity on Bodo Culture: A Case Study of the Bodo Christians in Assam, and What would Jesus do? The Hermeneutics of the Kingdom of God: A Prophetic Call, Critic, and Action against Human Suffering using John Caputo’s Deconstruction. Session V Hermeneutics in Thai context consisted of An Application of the Debate between Gadamer’s and Habermas’ Hermeneutics to a Buddhist Study of Naga Fireballs or Mekong Lights (Bung Fai Paya Nak), and Siho: Spiritual Symbol in Khon Kaen City.