Hermeneutics “Hermeneutics” denotes critical reflection upon processes of interpretation and understanding, especially the interpretation of biblical texts or texts that originate from within other cultures. However, this may include all kinds of communicative processes, from signs and visual art to institutions and literary phenomena. Introduction: The Shape of the Subject In premodern times hermeneutics was often defined as the formulation of “rules” of interpretation. However, after Schleiermacher