Contextualist

A contextualist is an individual who believes that understanding a subject, concept, or statement is fundamentally dependent on its surrounding context. They emphasize the importance of considering the circumstances, environment, and background information when interpreting meaning, evaluating validity, or forming judgments. This perspective often challenges the notion of universal truths or absolute interpretations, arguing instead for a nuanced and situation-specific understanding. Contextualists may apply this approach to various fields, including philosophy, law, history, and literary criticism, highlighting the impact of specific factors on meaning and significance. They often champion a holistic approach.

Contextualist meaning with examples

• As a literary critic, Sarah is a staunch contextualist. She believes that a novel's meaning cannot be fully grasped without understanding the historical period, author's biography, and societal norms of the time it was written. Analyzing isolated passages without this broader understanding would, in her view, be a gross disservice to the work's complexity and intended impact. She urges to look at things comprehensively, from a bird's-eye view and not to get entangled in minor details without knowledge of the big picture.
• The judge, a committed contextualist in legal philosophy, considered all the evidence and witness testimonies within the context of the crime scene and the defendant's prior history. He rejected arguments based solely on legal precedent, arguing that each case had unique circumstances that required a specific interpretation. The contextual approach meant he considered the evolving understanding of social issues and the impact of current events.
• In the field of art history, the professor adopts a contextualist approach when examining ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. He insists that the meaning of symbols is contingent on their placement within the inscriptions, their relationship to other symbols, and the broader religious and political context of the pharaoh's reign. Without this deep dive, an accurate interpretation is impossible, he feels. This makes the art historian a well-versed contextualist.
• The philosopher, a philosophical contextualist, argued that ethical judgments are not universal but are shaped by cultural norms and societal values. He used the example of the 'trolley problem' – he suggested the morally 'right' action depends on the specific social context and how people perceive acceptable conduct. He questioned the ability to apply abstract moral principles without considering the nuances of a situation.