Joseph Pallattil
Buber’s major theme is that human existence may be defined by the way in which we engage in dialogue with each other, with the world, and with God. As per Martin Buber human beings may adopt two attitudes towards the world. I-Thou, I-It. When I – Thou defines the relationship between subject to subject. I – It defines the relationship between subject to object.
In I – It relationship the subject will consider the other as mere object, there will be absence of being in one. It’s relationship of separateness and detachment.
In I – Thou relationship the both subjects are present so human beings are aware of each other having a unity of being. In this relationship each one has his own being so everyone as the same respect.
The being of subject Is a unity which cannot be analysed as an object, when a subject is analysed as an object, the subject is no longer a subject, but becomes an object. When a subject is analysed as an object, the subject is no longer a Thou, but becomes an It.
When we consider the present time, we can see the absence of I – Thou relationships. The relationships became I – It relationships. Everyone consider the other as mere objects, there is no value for being. Everyone is making relationships for the sake of gains. There is no values in such relationships. This is a great problem that we should face. When the quality of relationship becomes void, the fraternity in the society will be destroyed. Everyone will be like commodities.
The reformation should be done In these relationships, the type of I – It, relationships should grow to I – Thou relationships. The binding force of I – Thou relationships is Love. It’s a relation in which I and Thou have a shared reality. In this relationship the Thou will always be God. Buber contends that the I-Thou relation between the individual and God is a universal relation which is the foundation for all other relations. If the individual has a real I – Thou relation with God, then the individual must have a real I-Thou relation with the world. When an individual has a strong I – Thou relationship with God, then his actions in the world will be guided by that relationship.
So, when the world go behinds the I – It relationships for benefits and gains, we should think in other way. Through the good relationship with God we should be able to see the other as our own brother and as greater than us. Then we will be able to respect others in their choices, opinion and freedom.
