The Operation of Verstehen

Abstract

In Chapter 1 it was stated that the operation of Verstehen is involved in any type of explanation that attributes conscious desires, expectations, beliefs and purposes to others. In this chapter that view will be developed and it will also be argued that the operation of Verstehen is involved in explanations of social customs and ceremonies, that is that it is necessary to know the significance of social behaviour to the participants and the explanations (if any) that they offer. There is this necessity even if, and perhaps especially if, it is thought that their accounts are incorrect. There is, however, no suggestion that the operation of Verstehen alone will lead to a satisfactory explanation; the suggestion is that Verstehen is an essential part of such explanations.