Interpretation of Educational Administration in the Context of Dilthey’s Hermeneutic Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to interpret the field of educational administration according to the philosophy of Dilthey, one of the most important representatives of the hermeneutical approach, which deals with the human being in variability, historicity. Educational administration that claims to be a science has internalized positivist approach and its methods. Dilthey has established a methodology for a new science by criticizing this approach for being insufficient in understanding the human being. Hermeneutics is defined as interpretation of knowledge and against the hegemony of scientificity imposed by positivist theory, it is a current thought which emphasizes subjectivity based on human life. Its purpose is not to deny natural sciences, but to reveal the inadequacy of reductionist approach in solving the complex nature of social life and human. In order to enable educational scientists to understand the social phenomena in an effective way, the recognition of all aspects of society will provide more productive results. So this study emphasizes the importance of the hermeneutic approach in providing an understanding that can go beyond the boundaries of natural sciences by developing alternative perspective of understanding ability in educational administration.