Theories of Interpretation

Theories of interpretation explore different ways to understand texts, laws, or symbols. Formalism focuses on the text's language and structure, believing meaning comes from the words themselves. Contextualism emphasizes the importance of historical, cultural, or situational backgrounds to grasp intent and significance. Intentionalism prioritizes the creator's intended meaning, while pragmatic approaches consider how interpretations impact current understanding or future implications. Each theory offers a lens to decode meaning, balancing between the text's inherent features and its broader context to arrive at a fair and meaningful understanding.