The phenomenon of communication in religious and philosophical tradition

Abstract

The article is devoted to outlining the parallels between the paradigms of philosophy of dialogue and theology of communication through the comparison of their key concepts and ideas. On the basis of the works of such representatives in philosophy of dialogue as M. Buber, E. Levinas and the representatives of theology of communication in its orthodox version A. Surozhskiy and I. Zizioulas, a converged line of their «deployment» has been justified. This is reflected in transferring of their ideas of an erroneous, incomplete and monadological human existence, which urges him to seek Other, who is the guarantor of the ontological status of «I». As a result, there is made an apology of non-substancialist approach to human personality from the position of the importance of relationships with Other for its constitution. It turns out that from the standpoint of both philosophy of dialogue and theology of communication the authentic meeting of «I» and «You» provides moments of openness, a shift from pronouncing to listening, compassion and sensitivity. However, in theology of communion the dialogue between «I» and «You» takes on a new meaning because of the fact that it sounds in the presence of the Transcendental Other – God. From these positions, the prospects of theoanthropological perichoresis are considered (a theological analogue of the intersubjectivity paradigm) and strengthening of trinitarian motifs in understanding of personality in contemporary Orthodox theology. The article outlines phenomenology of communication in its secular and theological contexts: the unity of openness, expectation, sadness, call and answer, which are carried through the fullness of communication of man with God and other people. By example of the concept of A. Surozhskiy human experiences of these states are shown: from openness and call to «life in God» and the meaning of Other as an icon for man’s approaching to the depths of the divine co-existence.