Abstract
This chapter follows up on the central role of understanding in terms of the
need to understand methodologically and in practical life in order to achieve AI with
concrete limits. We cast this within the framework of communicative competence,
which requires both understanding as well as the reciprocal relationship of the
part–whole. Communicative competence sets out a criterion for our investigation and
identifies a key human experience—“How did we get into this situation?” —which
requires understanding, distancing from the situation, surveying the situation
historically, and trying to anticipate where we go next. This critical understanding
and/or critical reflexivity is needed, which is thoroughly phenomenological.