Is Interreligious Dialogue Even Possible? Meeting the Other in a Philosophical Approach

Abstract

To become reality, religious freedom requires the possibility of interreligious dialogue. Does dialogue lead to the abolition of differences between religions? Should dialogue lead to religious syncretism? This paper attempts to grasp the essence of interfaith dialogue on the basis of contemporary philosophy by presenting the notion of dialogical attitude, the adoption of which makes dialogue possible. Five necessary assumptions that constitute a dialogical attitude are characterized and must be accepted before meeting the Other. The idea of tikkun olam – the Jewish concept of repairing the world – is also presented briefly. Its recent reception, in the author’s belief, has established the perfect atmosphere for treating religious dialogue as an important step in achieving peace and justice.