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Dialogue is discussion that aims to go beyond any one individual's understanding. In dialogue, participants speak their own minds, while implicitly acknowledging that their assumptions could be wrong and that other people may legitimately hold differing opinions. The result is a free exploration that brings to the surface the full depth of people's experience and thought, and yet can move beyond their individual views (Peter Senge, The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization).
In his renowned book, I and Thou, Martin Buber suggests that in authentic dialogue something far deeper that ordinary conversation goes on. The I-Thou interaction implies a genuine openness of each to the concerns of the other. In such dialogue, "I" do not, while talking with you, selectively tune out views with which I disagree, nor do I busy myself marshaling arguments to rebut you while only half attending to what you have to say, nor do I seek to reinforce my own prejudices. Instead, I fully "take in" your viewpoint, engaging with it in the deepest sense of the term. You do likewise. Each of us internalizes the views of the other to enhance our mutual understanding (Daniel Yankelovich, The Magic of Dialogue: Transforming conflict into Cooperation).
As practiced by Days of Dialogue, dialogue is topically-focused, small-group discussion guided by skilled, impartial facilitators, for the purpose of increasing mutual respect and understanding among diverse people, promoting civic engagement, and helping people live or work better together. |
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