Gadamer, Play, and Interreligious Dialogue as the Opening of Horizons
This paper explores the potential use of Gadamer’s hermeneutical concept of play as a tool to understand and explore interreligious dialogue. In particular it brings this into a discussion about interreligious dialogue understood as theological or spiritual encounter and exchange, especially in the form of Comparative Theology. Thinkers like David Tracy and Ludwig Wittgenstein are engaged for their related discussions, while Gadamer’s own concept of the Fusion of Horizons, which it is argued is best expressed as the Opening of Horizons in this context, is used to show how and why such dialogue is justified in hermeneutical theory. It is argued that play provides a useful model both for understanding the seriousness of interreligious dialogue but also how it stands apart from yet elides with many traditional perspectives within religious traditions.
Cite
Click, copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links to import into a bibliography manager.
xHedges, Dr P. "Gadamer, Play, and Interreligious Dialogue as the Opening of Horizons." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4., ( Autumn 2016 ): 5-26. Print.
Hedges, D. P. ( Autumn 2016 ). Gadamer, Play, and Interreligious Dialogue as the Opening of Horizons. Journal of Dialogue Studies, 4(), 5-26.
Hedges, Dr P. "Gadamer, Play, and Interreligious Dialogue as the Opening of Horizons." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4. ( Autumn 2016 ): 5-26.
Faith, Peace Building, and Intra-Community Dialogue in South Yorkshire, UK
This paper discusses the outcomes of action research with an interfaith community dialogue project. The project was established to encourage resilience to the divisive narratives of extreme or radical right-wing groups in South Yorkshire, UK. In communities where there is antipathy towards ‘outsiders’, contact theory encourages intergroup interaction as a way of improving relationships. However, this research found that where people could or would not take part in inter-group contact, an alternative approach was therefore required. This research identified an innovative process of facilitated ‘safe-space’ intra-community dialogue that involved groups whose ‘out-group’ antipathy could feed extremism. Participants could talk amongst themselves about why they felt as they did without the expectation they would interact with other groups. This research identified the role of faith in challenging extremism and a dialogue process that has potential for wider application in settings where identity-related hostility is present.
Cite
Click, copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links to import into a bibliography manager.
xSteels, Stephanie, and Slade, Richard "Faith, Peace Building, and Intra-Community Dialogue in South Yorkshire, UK." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4., ( Autumn 2016 ): 27-48. Print.
Steels, S. , & Slade, R. ( Autumn 2016 ). Faith, Peace Building, and Intra-Community Dialogue in South Yorkshire, UK. Journal of Dialogue Studies, 4(), 27-48.
Steels, Stephanie, and Slade, Richard "Faith, Peace Building, and Intra-Community Dialogue in South Yorkshire, UK." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4. ( Autumn 2016 ): 27-48.
Problematizing Whiteness: A Woman of Color and a White Woman Discuss Race and Research
In this paper, we engage in reflexivity to explore our experiences with race and research. Employing critical race theory as a framework, we engage in a dialogue about the risks and benefits of White scholars exploring race in higher education research. Through this conversation, we attempt to problematize the use of CRT by White scholars and provide a framework for scholars to consider when engaging in research related to race. Further, we intend to model the difficult dialogues in which White women and women of Color must engage to support each other as scholars in higher education.
Cite
Click, copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links to import into a bibliography manager.
xDavis, Shametrice, Linder, Chris, "Problematizing Whiteness: A Woman of Color and a White Woman Discuss Race and Research." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4., ( Autumn 2016 ): 49-68. Print.
Linder, C. , Davis, S. , ( Autumn 2016 ). Problematizing Whiteness: A Woman of Color and a White Woman Discuss Race and Research. Journal of Dialogue Studies, 4(), 49-68.
Davis, Shametrice, Linder, Chris, "Problematizing Whiteness: A Woman of Color and a White Woman Discuss Race and Research." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4. ( Autumn 2016 ): 49-68.
Deliberative Democracy: A Binding Methodology?
In a democracy, decisions may be taken in a number of non-violent ways. Some are taken by everybody in referendums or, after an election, by the members of parliament; almost all of these ballots and elections of the general population, as well as decisions by elected representatives, are binding. Other, usually non-binding decisions, may be made by independent commissions or public enquiries, albeit sometimes subject to a government veto; while yet further decisions of government may be influenced by consultations, public opinion surveys, deliberative polls and focus groups.
Given the ever-increasing sophistication with which some forms of deliberative democracy operate, it is time to ask whether they too should be legally binding if, that is, (a) the representative sample meets certain minimum criteria, and (b) the outcome, the social choice or ranking, has passed a pre-determined threshold of support.
Accordingly, this article first examines the way a social choice or ranking can be identified; next, with frequent reference to instances from across the globe, it takes an overview of the more common means of public participation; and then, in regard to item (b) above, it advocates criteria by which the outcomes of some of these democratic instruments may be deemed to be binding.
Cite
Click, copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links to import into a bibliography manager.
xEmerson, Peter "Deliberative Democracy: A Binding Methodology?." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4., ( Autumn 2016 ): 69-88. Print.
Emerson, P. ( Autumn 2016 ). Deliberative Democracy: A Binding Methodology?. Journal of Dialogue Studies, 4(), 69-88.
Emerson, Peter "Deliberative Democracy: A Binding Methodology?." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4. ( Autumn 2016 ): 69-88.
‘Lived Faith’ as an Approach to Inter- Religious Dialogue – Designing for Discussion
Inter-Religious dialogue usually involves the exploration of various issues by people of similar hierarchical standing within different religious structures and is based upon spirituality and religious texts and scriptures to inform discussion. This paper explores the concept of ‘lived faith’ as a means to engage people of different faith backgrounds in conversations around contemporary contentious issues within the city of Birmingham, UK, which were termed the ‘Birmingham Conversations’. The paper outlines the evaluative research methodology of ‘conversation’ development and the use of ‘lived faith’ as a concept around which to base the various discussions and conversations. The paper suggests that this method of engaging participants in discussions around conflict issues enabled participants of asymmetrical hierarchical positions within faith organisations to be present and contribute meaningfully and significantly. It also outlines the potential for ‘lived faith’ as an important tool for providing ‘safe space’ for contentious issues to be aired and greater understanding to be developed between people of different faith backgrounds in a globalised UK city.
Cite
Click, copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links to import into a bibliography manager.
xNicholas, Sian "‘Lived Faith’ as an Approach to Inter- Religious Dialogue – Designing for Discussion." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4., ( Autumn 2016 ): 89-100. Print.
Nicholas, S. ( Autumn 2016 ). ‘Lived Faith’ as an Approach to Inter- Religious Dialogue – Designing for Discussion. Journal of Dialogue Studies, 4(), 89-100.
Nicholas, Sian "‘Lived Faith’ as an Approach to Inter- Religious Dialogue – Designing for Discussion." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4. ( Autumn 2016 ): 89-100.
Reflections on GCGI: Creating a Culture of Dialogue, Collaboration, and Cooperation for the Common Good
The future is indeed fraught with environmental, socio-economic, political, and security risks that could derail the progress towards the building of ‘The Future We Want’. However, although these serious challenges are confronting us, we can, if we are serious and sincere enough, overcome them by taking risks in the interest of the common good. One thing is clear: the main problem we face today is not the absence of technical or economic solutions, but rather the presence of moral and spiritual crises. This requires us to build broad global consensus on a vision that places values such as love, generosity, and caring for the common good into socio-political and economic practice, suggesting possibilities for healing and transforming our world.
Cite
Click, copy and paste a formatted citation or use one of the links to import into a bibliography manager.
xMofid, Kamran "Reflections on GCGI: Creating a Culture of Dialogue, Collaboration, and Cooperation for the Common Good." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4., ( Autumn 2016 ): 101-109. Print.
Mofid, K. ( Autumn 2016 ). Reflections on GCGI: Creating a Culture of Dialogue, Collaboration, and Cooperation for the Common Good. Journal of Dialogue Studies, 4(), 101-109.
Mofid, Kamran "Reflections on GCGI: Creating a Culture of Dialogue, Collaboration, and Cooperation for the Common Good." Journal of Dialogue Studies 4. ( Autumn 2016 ): 101-109.