Introduction to Dialogue

Our societies are built on and hold together through speech. By talking, we communicate our daily thoughts and feelings, express our amazements, guide our mundane activities, teach our children to understand the world around them, argue and reconcile. In this online course we deal with one of the most refined forms of speech: dialogue.

In dialogical conversation human beings can sustain their vital ability to learn from one another. The kind of learning that occurs in dialogue is a constantly developing understanding of the world’s phenomena, other people, and oneself. It brings with it various valuable things. Dialogue builds reciprocal trust between individuals that makes co-existence safe and smooth. Through dialogue we can also creatively deal with complex problems and develop the new ideas required to solve them. In addition, dialogical conversations enliven the most fundamental values of democracy: equality and liberty.

On a very fundamental level, dialogue is not a mechanical skill that we can acquire in the same way as we learn to swim, cycle, or play chess. The art of dialogue always relies on personal ethical attitude. This attitude is based on a sound faith in the uniqueness of each individual human being and the value that comes with it. Every person has their distinctive perspective on the world that nobody can replace. For this reason, each of us holds a certain point of view on reality that does not appear to anybody else.

Are you interested in learning more? Welcome to the Introduction to dialogue.