The hearer has a responsibility

Conversation requires the hearer to be open to the between, to perhaps even call forth the speaking Thou: the hearer has a responsibility. This is a corollary of Faith comes in through the ears: the ears call forth what is inside the person so that the speaking Thou can hear him or her self. Now we see that the ears call forth the speaking Thou so he or she can speak forth his or her self. Expression now is not of any individual self but of the between-self.

Either party can close the door to communication. The hearer cannot always be expected to consciously draw forth the speaking Thou. Nonetheless, the hearing I bears responsibility for the turning that comes: turning away or turning toward. In situations where there is a shield or filter up, the speaking Thou either must redouble his or her efforts, or choose to go elsewhere. The latter may be necessary at some point; the former fits many times. But the speaking Thou must see what is going on, be alert to it, attend to it, intend the turning.

:- Doug.

Published in: Conversations | on June 2nd, 2007 | No Comments »

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