The ABC of Dialogue

FOR DIALOGUE WE NEED TO REDISCOVER OUR OWN IDENTITY

By: Jesús Morán, “Dialogue - Some anthropologists and cultural aspects”; Amman, August 2013

In the light of the secular tradition and culture of humanity (despite its failures) what could be the strong points of a culture of dialogue, which we can to live by in everyday life?

• First. Dialogue is inscribed in human nature. A person becomes more of a human being through dialogue.
• In dialogue each person is completed by the gift of the other. We need one another so as to be ourselves. In dialogue I give to the other my being different, my diversity.
• Every dialogue is always a personal encounter. Hence, it is not a matter of words or ideas, but it’s a matter of giving of ourselves.
• Dialogue requires silence and a listening ear. In the message for the 46th Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI says: «Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves.»
• True dialogue constitutes something essential, because we put at risk ourselves, our vision of things, our “identity”, also our cultural identity, which, however, will not be lost but enriched in its openness. We should have an “open identity”. What does it mean? It means that in order to dialogue, a mature identity is necessary; but then «when with someone else we understand each other… I will know better who I am» (Fabris, 70)
• Authentic dialogue has something to do with truth; it is always a deepening of the truth. This means that there is always a need for truth to be completed. We do not speak of relativity of truth but of “relations of truth” (Baccarini). Relative truth means that each one has a truth valid only for himself or herself. Relational truth means that each one participates and shares with others his or her participation to the truth, which is just one for all.
• Dialogue requires will power. Love for truth pushes me to search for it and desire it and for this reason, I get engaged in dialogue.
• Dialogue is possible only among authentic persons. And it is only love that makes us authentic. In other words, love prepares people to dialogue by making them authentic. Dialogue requires authentic individuals and at the same time makes people more authentic.