The Dialogical Attitude

The dialogical attitude is at the heart of David Bohm’s approach to dialogue. It describes the way participants approach each other, their own thinking and the process of dialogue. It is less about following a set of rules and more about developing an open, respectful and curious way of being with others.

A dialogical attitude means being willing to listen without immediately judging, stay open to different perspectives and question one’s own assumptions. Participants do not need to agree with each other. Instead, they remain interested in understanding how others see and experience the world.

An important part of this attitude is the ability to suspend judgement. This means noticing our own opinions, reactions and assumptions without immediately acting on them. By creating a little space between what we think and how we respond, we become more able to listen and to discover something new.

The dialogical attitude also values inclusion and respect. Every voice and perspective can contribute to the shared exploration. Differences are not something to overcome as quickly as possible; they can become a source of learning and creative thinking.

At the same time, dialogue requires openness to uncertainty. We do not always know where the conversation will lead. Instead of trying to control the outcome, participants allow new ideas and insights to emerge through the interaction of the group.

In this sense, the dialogical attitude creates the conditions for creative thinking, mutual understanding and respectful cooperation. It enables people to think together without losing their individuality and to explore what may become possible when different perspectives meet.