Dialogue: Conversation as culture creating and consciousness evolving

Abstract

In this opening chapter, first, we review the purpose of this Compendium and provide an overview of the learning journey presented by the editors and authors. The chapter is presented in two parts. Part I begins with an exploration of the meaning of dialogue. Then, we examine the relationship of conversation to culture creating and consciousness evolving within society. Dialogue is introduced as a form of conversation that enables our species to connect within and across cultures, forming and sustaining communities through intersubjectivity and cultural creativity. The chapter will examine why dialogue is important as well as how dialogue may be used to create a collective evolutionary consciousness essential to designing our own future. Part II overviews how the compendium is framed into five themes, which present a reflective context for exploring dialogue conversation. © 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.