Abstract

In his work on Indian philosophy, Wilhelm Halbfass pioneers new approaches in the comparative historiography of philosophy. His approach is committed to a dialogical model based on Gadamer’s conversational hermeneutics. Philosophical comparison is not only observational, but also participatory; it requires a willingness to being addressed. The encounter between Indian and Western philosophy takes place in the form of diverse, sometimes reciprocal processes of reception. Halbfassʼs comparative study of comparison leads to the question of the philosophical self-understanding that determines the comparative reference of the recipients. With his approach, Halbfass contributes to the current discussion on the method of comparative philosophy.