Abstract: The Bahá’í writings prescribe consultation “on all matters,” and specify not only the broad shape of the consultative process, but the prerequisite attitudes of those seeking to consult. But what is to be done when these prerequisites are lacking—when, for instance, people seem unable or unwilling to even understand each other? A similar challenge confronts public discourses, many of which appear fundamentally dysfunctional. In this paper, we canvass current research to identify elements of a process that can facilitate understanding among dialogue partners. The resulting “Transformative Dialogue,” which aims primarily at transforming relationships, can potentially lay the groundwork for true consultation. We argue that TD is a distinct mode of dialogue, embodying a recognizable set of precepts and processes, and can therefore be studied, systematically developed within local communities, and applied to specific problems within those communities.
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