The word ‘dialogue’ is used nowadays in a positive context to suggest a process whereby, for example, an understanding of another view point/ approach etc. may be gained and perhaps a consensus/ accommodation reached. It is used by the church when listening to gay issues, by politicians in trying to bridge the N. Ireland divide, and by business to communicate and listen to the public (e.g., the Hub initiative, IoD). There is also some understanding, that dialogue requires a process during which participants will try to be more open minded and perhaps be prepared to modify some of their own assumptions/ views, but does this really happen in practice?
David Bohm proposed a process (which is some times referred to as Bohmian Dialogue) which can aid learning how to dialogue more effectively, thereby understanding ourselves and others with greater clarity, sensitivity etc. and so leading to communal agreement and potential for creative solutions. The approach develops personal and collective insights into our thinking processes, particularly those where our responses are conditioned and biased by our needs, fears, desires and distorted by our culture/ gender/ language etc.
Though in practice dialogue can be undertaken
alone, in small groups or within organisations, it is easier
to explain the process by the interactions of a group of 20 -
40 people. A group of this size, sitting facing each other in
a circle, will have sub groups or sub cultures present (e.g.,
a number of people prepared to argue collectively in a particular
way) ; their exploration by the whole group in a sensitive manner,
and on the individual level (by suspending judgment, impulses,
thoughts etc. and by giving them serious attention, particularly
when it feels risky) may permit deeper insights, reveal structures
and cycles of habit etc. and in so doing , give an opportunity
to learn, so that similar ‘triggers’ etc. in the future
will lead to alternative thoughts actions etc., and deeper understanding
of the situation/ issues involved etc.
Updated: 5/9/98