Dialogue as Being With: An Antitoxin to Hate and Intolerance

Abstract

As the social and political landscape becomes more fearful, intolerant, and self-centered, the concept of dialogue offers a different path, a constructive way of approaching alien ideas and beliefs. Understanding the principles of true dialogue is the most effective way to foster inner and outer harmony, broaden one’s horizons, and check aggressive, intolerant impulses. Dialogue’s roots are ancient, related to a method of argument called dialectic. It is a special partnership based on mutual respect and humility. Dialogue isn’t easy to engender. It requires four pre-conditions: 1) non-empirically verifiable topic; 2) two-way flow; 3) fairness; and 4) willingness to risk self-identity.

Keywords

• dialogue
• dialectic
• self-identity
• recognition of other