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Martin Buber’s Dialogic Communication Essay

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Martin Buber’s Dialogic Communication

Dialogue is more than talking. It is not the straightforwardness of talking to or at, rather it is communicating with or between. It is "a relation between persons that is characterized in more or less degree by the element of inclusion" (Buber, 97). Inclusiveness is an acknowledgment of the other person, an event experienced between two persons, mutual respect for both views and a willingness to listen to the views of the other. These elements are the heart of dialogical relations. In this paper I will examine Martin Buber’s theory of communication, its relevance to my life and the critiques of the theory.

At the core of Buber’s theory is a distinction between dialogue and monologue. Dialogue is …show more content…

Important to dialogic communication as well is the "narrow ridge". This is the place in which views from both parties to the conversation can be viewed. A kind of lookout tower or observation post in which both persons get as close to the others views with out actually taking them as their own in order to understand the other. It is not a place in which conversation participants meet and compromise their beliefs to appease the other. "The narrow ridge requires a balancing of concern for self and other in proportionate amounts for what is needed by the situation..." (Arnett, 173).

To avoid misunderstanding, dialogue needs to be defined by what it is not. Dialogue is not technical dialogue, chit chat, loving or liking the other, equality, weakness or compromise. Technical dialogue is a byproduct of modern society. It arises out of a need to understand objectively. It is different from real dialogue because Buber states dialogue is subjective (Arnett, 6). Chit chat is monologue disguised as dialogue, the need to communicate something for the sake of having their own thoughts and ideas heard, not to learn, not to influence, not to come to understanding with another (Arnett, 6). Dialogue does not happen just because you like or love someone. In fact, it can happen between persons who dislike each other very much as long as they can

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