Socrates with a cane

Those who knew Hans-Georg Gadamer could not understand hermeneutics" as a theory or a practice" apart from his person. He was, as we often said, a hermeneutic Mensch. In conversation, whether it was casual or concentrated, in the classroom, or simply in sharing a meal, wine, or one of his very strong coffees together Gadamer always embodied something of the ideals of what one thinks of as defining hermeneutics. He was open to others, listened remarkably well, was attentive to what was said, and the words used, he was funny and thoughtful, and always engaged. Those of us who knew him as a teacher saw how reading a text brought it to life and those of us who counted him as a friend learned how a care for others enriched everyone.