Martin Buber and the Between: Activating the Life of Dialogue within the Realm of the Interhuman

摘要

This historical-theoretical dissertation extends Martin Buber's teachings on dialogical living into the core of the psychological realm. The dissertation proposes a new theoretical paradigm, the psychology of the interhuman, which addresses one of the primary ills of society, the descent into the I-It world of abstraction and removal from essence and feeling caused by the indiscriminate use of language disconnected from source and meaning. The proposed psychological paradigm is rooted in the dialogical philosophy of Martin Buber. The psychology of the interhuman addresses the core human problem of disconnection, and establishes the deep connection between language, sound, creation, and psychological well being.;This dissertation utilizes a historical-theoretical methodology to create the psychology of the interhuman. The theoretical framework for the new psychology has its foundation in the life of Buber himself. Examining in detail the historical concepts and life experiences that shaped Buber's work makes it possible to extract the elements of this new model, the theoretical psychology of the interhuman.;Central to this new paradigm is the use of the language of unity. This healing modality offers an antidote to the historical abstraction of language worldwide. By bringing the knowledge of this dialogical language into the realm of psychology, the researcher has created the potential to inform and transform psychological practices.;Incorporating the interhuman and the language of unity into the realm of psychology has not been previously explored. The role of language in healing the modern disease of abstraction, the cause of the I-It world, has gone unrecognized and unutilized until now. The research contained herein also has larger implications beyond psychology. Teaching the language of unity, as well as the practices of hallowing and redeeming the fallen sparks, has the potential to lead people into the life of dialogue, wherein true healing occurs. This initial study of the healing impact of language and the utilization of the language of unity within psychology suggests possibilities for further studies, including the effect of language upon cognitive functioning, language and neuroplasticity, and the possibility of healing childhood trauma through the reshaping of language from abstraction to the lived concrete.