Martin Buber, I and Thou

For August's meeting, we will begin our three-month exploration of Martin Buber by discussing part one of his I and Thou. Originally published in 1923, it is Buber’s best-known work and is considered his magnum opus, setting forth a critique of modern objectification in relationships with others.

We'll be sitting inside Boheme (in the side room next to the front entrance). Below is a link to a PDF of the reading, followed by a brief description of the work:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE READING

"Buber's main proposition is that we may address existence in two ways: (1) that of the "I" towards an "It", towards an object that is separate in itself, which we either use or experience; (2) that of the 'I' towards 'Thou', in which we move into existence in a relationship without bounds. One of the major themes of the book is that human life finds its meaningfulness in relationships. All of our relationships, Buber contends, bring us ultimately into relationship with God, who is the Eternal Thou.

Considered a landmark of twentieth-century intellectual history, this is Martin Buber's classic treatment of the religious and social dimensions of the human personality."