|
||
Biography:
Martin Buber (1878-1965) was a Jewish philosopher, Zionist leader and theologian who
fled Nazi persecution and eventually settled in Palestine where he wrote and taught.
Buber counted among those influenced him Nicholas of Cusa, Jakob Böhme, and
Friedrich Nietzsche. Buber is perhaps best known for his 1923 book Ich und Du
(I and Thou) in which he argues that there are two basic attitudes which people can
have: I-Thou and I-It.
The first, I-Thou, represents a mutual, reciprocal relationship between two independent subjects. The second, I-It, is a relationship of utilization and control between subject and object. For Buber a fundamental distinction between the two relationships is the in the nature of the I.
With the first, the I is inseparable from the relationship and cannot be considered outside of it. But in the second, the I is an observer and only partially involved. Unfortunately, every Thou eventually becomes an It, because the I-Thou relationship cannot go on forever. A balanced, healthy person, however, is able to maintain a balance between the two types of situations.
Actually, it is not true that every Thou eventually becomes an it. Buber argued that God was an eternal Thou, and thus a subject with which humans can maintain an indefinite I-Thou relationships, better allowing for the creation of balance and the development of a healthy life.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear. Read more about how dictionaries, scholars and others have tried to define and explain religion.
