To be is to be in connection
with something, and without such a connection there is no life.
What do we mean with the close
connection?
It is a mutual active
challenge and reaction between two humans, between an I and a Thou, the
challenge which the Thou gives from itself, and which the “I” takes up, or
whereon the “I” reacts, and also the challenge which the “I” gives from itself
to the Thou, the challenge from the I to the Thou.
The challenge and the reaction
give themselves expression in language as question and answer.
In this way life gets in language
a dialogical character.
Martin Buber, I and Thou.
ReplyDeleteOne of the major themes of the book is that human life finds its meaningfulness in relationships. In Buber's view, all of our relationships bring us ultimately into relationship with the Eternal Thou.
It gives depth and meaning to our relationships with one another; the I-Thou relationship being sustained in the spirit and mind.