Economic libertarians such as the Koch brothers and Ayn Rand fans such as Representative Ryan are deeply oriented toward inner-directedness.
In Pally's terminology, optimally developed other-directed people have effectively worked out a proper balance between their sense of separability and distinction, on the one hand, and, on the other, their sense of situatedness and relation.
Now, in the subtitle of my book about Ong's life and work, I have explicitly mentioned I-thou communication because Ong never tired of mentioning I-thou communication. Here's what Pally has to say about I-thou communication (with her capitalizations):
"As Martin Buber's theology of the I-Thou encounter is well known, I shall here highlight only three points relevant to relationality.
"First, in contrast to the I-Thou (recognizing the singularity of the other and what of God is in her [or him]) stands the I-It, projecting generalities or assumptions onto another, an abrogation of covenantal bond, as [Emmanuel] Levinas and [Simone] Weil too wrote.
"Second, as I-Thou is the only sort of encounter one can have with God, relationship with God is the ground for I-Thou among persons each time it occurs -- --ch time one takes the time to recognize the divine in a person. Yet, echoing the twined covenant, these moments of I-Thou with others are also how we come to I-Thou with God. 'God appears when people truly meet others' [says Buber].
"Third not only must each reach toward the I-Thou bond, persons must live in the sorts of communities where this type of relationship is fostered. 'Society is naturally composed not of disparate individuals but of associative units and associations between them' [Pally's footnote on page 211 refers to G. Alperowitz's article "Building a Living Democrary" in Sojourners, volume 19, number 6 (July 1990): page 15]" (pages 210-211).
The distinguished American Buber scholar Maurice Friedman (1921-2012) explores the sorts of communities in his book Genuine Dialogue and Real Partnership: Foundations of True Community (Trafford Publishing, 2011). He distinguishes communities of affinity (like-minded people) from communities of otherness. Many Americans have experienced communities of affinity.
Dr. King helped galvanize grassroots support for the black civil rights movement by preaching not only at American colleges and universities but also at churches (i.e., communities of affinity).
Pally's new book is aimed at students and teachers at American colleges and universities and at pastors and their congregations.
(Article changed on April 16, 2016 at 12:10)
(Article changed on April 16, 2016 at 12:32)
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