Bona Fide Dialogue

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2007

School

Communication

Abstract

This paper approaches human communication from a dialogue perspective. Theory by Burke, Pearce, and Stewart, among others, will be addressed and practical application will be discussed. Social interaction dialogue will be defined as the flow of meaning and constructing of reality resulting from relational enactments involving constituents connecting and engaging with one another by mutually sharing their reality as well as attempting to understand another's reality. Dialogue assumes diversity of reality; yet, dialoguers accept and appreciate commonalities and differences. Bona fide dialogue requires maturity and mutual acceptance as well as a genuine attempt to commune and cooperate with other/s. Dialogue may essentially require pro-social behavior. Fundamentally, dialogue develops shared meaning and common ground (Bohm, 1985). Through dialogue, constituents experience, explore, and explicate social reality. Social reality has been described as ‘transformative subjectivity’ resulting in a variety of personal and collective realities (Harre, 1986). Social reality will be defined as a socially mediated construct derived from collective interpretation and sense-making of phenomena that prepares and structures constituents' identity, beliefs, behaviors, and expectations. Social reality shapes and converges individuals' sense of reality resulting in a common sense of reality. A shared reality is an essential process of meaningful social relations and a motivating factor for collaborative action. In essence, bona fide dialogue may be the best available means for developing a shared reality, meaningful social relations, and collaborative action.

Publication Title

International Journal of Diversity In Organizations, Communities & Nations

Volume

6

Issue

5

First Page

47

Last Page

54

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