An investigation into the effect of presuppositions in understanding and the ways to control them from the perspective of philosophical hermeneutics and Islamic sciences

Achieving a good or desirable understanding is one of the concerns for every
nterpreter or theory of interpretation. One of the issues seen as a major obstacle in achieving such an understanding is the interference of presuppositions. The present article, as a descriptive analytical study which applies library data and textual references, aims first to investigate the nature and types of presuppositions and their effect on understanding - either their essential or detrimental influence - from the perspective of scholars in philosophical hermeneutics and Islamic sciences (including tafsīr and the principles of jurisprudence). Then, it seeks to describe and analyze the methods offered in these sciences in order to prevent or control the presuppositions and the degree of success for each science in this regard. Finally, it has been shown that taking advantage of the hermeneutic methodology - such as openness, dialectic, and hermeneutic circle - together with the advantages of the principalist-interpretive method - including consideration of the typical expression and surface intention and conventional evidences like lexical principles on the one hand, and attention to the spiritual and moral competencies of the interpreter on the other hand - can overcome the shortcomings of each of these two methods and make a complementary interaction between the two sciences.