Understanding, Interpretation, Modeling: Does Digital Literary Studies Need a Digital Hemeneutics?

Abstract

The statement focusses on the function of hermeneutical procedures within Digital Literary Studies and the idea of ›Digital Hermeneutics‹ in the course of a general discussion about the current function of hermeneutics within Literary Studies and the Humanities. Despite the fact that the term of ›Digital Hermeneutics‹ suggests a genuine concept of Hermeneutics within the area of Digital Literary Studies, they are in fact rather characterized by a trend towards increased formalization. Besides the traditional hermeneutical terms of ›understanding‹ and ›interpretation‹, ›modeling‹ can thus be seen as a key activity of Digital Literary Studies.