Intersubjectivity

HUMAN INTERSUBJECTIVITY

  • Importance of genuine dialogue, friendship, respect for individual differences, and love.

Objectives

  • Students are expected to:

    • Distinguish instrumental relationships from intersubjectivity.

    • Explain the concept of social justice.

    • Demonstrate mutual responsibilities between individuals.

    • Articulate love as presence.

Quotes

  • "Man Is an island!" - John Donne

OBJECTIFYING RELATIONSHIP

  1. Many view others as mere objects, perceiving them only as machine-like bodies.

  2. The human person has an inner reality, described as an embodied spirit.

  3. Humans are subjects, thus relationships should be intersubjective, treating others as fellow subjects.

Intersubjectivity

  • Defined as the act of a person being for others, with commitment and love being inseparable.

  • Appreciating intersubjectivity leads to heightened sensitivity towards the worth of others.

Topics

  • Interhuman Relation

  • Social Justice

  • Infinite Responsibility

  • Love as Presence

Interhuman Relations

  • Intersubjectivity involves two beings in relation (I-IT vs. I-THOU).

I-IT Relationship

  • Value is derived from purpose; objects lack intrinsic moral worth.

  • The worth of things is based on utility determined by individuals.

  • Relationships based solely on instrumentality fail to recognize the value of the other.

I-THOU Relationship

  • In such a relation, there is mutual honor and completeness.

  • Love is expressed through freedom and a willingness to share life's meaning in conjunction with another.

  • The individual is valued beyond their attributes, emphasizing personal significance.

Martin Buber

  • Buber views persons as inherent possessors of value; loving someone is valuing their existence.

JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS

  • Distinguished from equality; inequalities may be justified if they aid the less privileged.

  • John Rawls identifies injustices when equal opportunities for social goods are denied.

  • Social existence necessitates understanding of hierarchical status based on position or economic condition.

Structural Injustice

  • Identified by Iris Marion Young who notes five forms of oppression:

    1. Violence

    2. Exploitation

    3. Marginalization

    4. Powerlessness

    5. Cultural Imperialism

Emmanuel Levinas

  • Advocated for infinite responsibility towards the Other.

  • Love must be expressed without expectation of reciprocation; it is a calling rather than a choice.

Encountering the Face of the Other

  • The face reflects individuality and demands justice; it is an invitation to avoid judgment and categorization.

  • The face serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness and shared humanity.

Importance of Face

  • The face represents one’s exteriority and demands recognition and justice.

  • It encourages seeing oneself in others, fostering empathy and mutual respect.

Love as Presence

  • Conveys a communion of beings, creating a shared world beyond external threats.

  • In intimate relationships, love attains a life of its own, nurtured by mutual care.

  • True love transcends physical existence, representing a union of souls.

True Love

  • Love defies the finality of death; it exists beyond physical separation.

  • It embodies an eternal bond, demonstrating the capacity to endure.

Conclusion

  • The exploration of human intersubjectivity emphasizes the depth of relationships rooted in care, justice, and love.