By Melanie Guste, RSCJ

Education is the process of seeking truth and understanding humanity.
Truth is complex and must entail different perspectives.  
– Philosophy of Sacred Heart Education: Sophie's Gift...Our Call to the Future

Many of us would likely posit that we are very receptive to the thoughts and ideas of others, and willing to listen.  After all, this orientation to another goes to the heart of our spiritual charism, our ethic of care, our integrity, and our values.

But am I receptive to others? To what extent am I receptive when listening to views that are opposed to my own?

"Receptive agency" is the capacity of each human being to receive the ideas, perspectives and experiences of others. It refers to a person’s openness to listening and ability to respond.  Receptivity is a fascinating inter-disciplinary concept; one that has been widely explored in philosophy, psychology and social sciences because it gets at important ontological and epistemological notions about who and how we are as human beings. It touches into our understandings about ourselves, our relationships, our communities, and our society.

These historic times invite us to actively seek truth and understanding, not only among our affinity groups, but to "open our tents" and to encounter another through deep listening for "truth and understanding." Hopefully, in the midst of a time in history when peoples are deeply divided in their ideas, opinions, and points of view on many issues, these resources will illuminate, inspire and invite us to continue the journey toward truth and understanding among human beings.

Questions for reflection:

  1. How open are you to others who hold ideas that are different—even oppositional—to your ideas?
  2. Can you be respectful, not hostile or negative, towards others when experiencing strong emotions?
  3. How interested are you in how another person sees things? Their own life experiences?

 

If you are interested in learning more about receptiveness, dialoguing with others about the challenges of “walking the talk,” and a wide variety of fascinating topics related to this field of study, click here.