A reader with a computer science background may be forgiven for finding Chalmers’ paper somewhat inaccessible at first. Expressions such as “semiology,” “philosophical hermeneutics,” and “epistemology,” which occur in the paper, do not appear frequently in the computer science literature. Yet, the paper addresses issues that are very relevant to computer scientists, in particular those with an interest in human-computer interaction and computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW). In fact, our very lack of familiarity with those expressions can be seen as one such issue.

The paper starts with a theoretical analysis of information systems from a CSCW perspective, identifies representation and interpretation as fundamental topics, and presents a philosophical discussion of these topics, along with a critique of the positivist tradition that underlies informatics. The author sees hermeneutics as particularly important, because it might help overcome barriers to the development of methodologies that encompass natural and social science elements: hermeneutics regards them as part of a continuum, defined by the degree of “distanciation” (the extent to which a representation is fixed, based on shared references) employed. This is followed by a review of systems design approaches with respect to the issue of distanciation, including the author’s own approach, the path model. The concluding sections draw parallels between the author’s approach and hermeneutics, and explore some of their methodological implications.

The paper did not entirely convince me that hermeneutics has found a definite place in the informatics toolbox. However, it is thought provoking, and left me wanting to learn more about hermeneutics.