Jeff Brooks notes in comment about Martin Buber's work and its
implications:
<It struck me that the "I - Thou" relationship implies community, as
does real dialogue, and that they both support and enhance
acknowledgement of and focus on the "I - Thou" relationship. I
detect a "virtuous circle" here!>
Jeff,
Yes, the implications are there, but there is a much deeper meaning
in the use of the "I-Thou" relationship. In much dialogue over the
years with clergy and lay persons, the circle would appear to us to
be the recognition of God within the other person, a reflection of
one's self in another being. The same God living in the "Thou" of the
relationship as in the "I" of the relationship. The implications for
the learning, understanding and utilizing of knowledge gained from
this blessed relationship are far-reaching in spiritual and practical
terms.
As we see our "Selves" in others, we can better act to help others
and ourselves learn, grow, sympathize and empathize, have compassion
for those around us, both in business and personal dealings. This
harkens back to the essence of the "Golden Rule" and is in accord
with what we would most benefit from doing (and being) ourselves.
Buber's work is more profound than is generally given credit,
especially in the context of Deming's use of "Profound Knowledge".
When fully comprehended, this "flips the switch", as in applied
systems theory, and a person is not the same anymore. Consider the
possibilities for employees in corporations and in government, and
yes for the community as a whole. It is a train with many cars,
riding on a circular track, or as you say, Jeff, a "virtuous"
circular track. Back to you, Jeff...
--Regards, John Constantine Rainbird Management Consulting "Dealing in Essentials" http://www.trail.com/~rainbird
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>