The focal point of this work is the ontological turn of hermeneutics and its conditions of possibility. The main thesis is: The ontological turn begins with Heidegger but is realized by Gadamer. It does not culminate in early Heidegger, as he only clarifies the unity of being and understanding but does not adequately explain the essence of language. It also does not culminate in late Heidegger, as he confirms the unity of being and language but excludes individual understanding. Through Gadamer's interpretation of phronesis, his philosophical hermeneutics is regarded as the actual result of the ontological turn in hermeneutics and also as an improved theoretical version of Heideggerian hermeneutics in the history of hermeneutics.