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Ethical Imagination

March 8, 2015 By Kevin Hershey Leave a Comment

After enjoying a generous potluck meal, Companions gathered to sing and pray, and to discuss due consideration and ethical imagination.

This ‘seeing the other’ is not…
a matter of ‘identification,’ or ‘empathy,’
but a concrete imagining of the other side
which does not at the same time lose sight of one’s own.

~ Friedman, Martin Buber: The Life of Dialogue

During our March 8th meeting, we discussed what can be achieved by giving another due consideration. The group talked about the challenges of listening without making a decision (in advance) that the self is “right.”

We also explored the concept of ethical imagination.

  • Identification (Sympathy) asks, “Have I felt what they’re feeling?”
  • Empathy says, “If I were going through that, I’d… .”
  • Imagination wonders, “What might it be like to be them, going through what they’re going through?

Quote from Friedman

Bible verses Matthew 16:13-18 (NRSV) and 1 Corinthians 1:9-10 (NRSV) were read in unison.

Songs We Sung

Accompanied by guitar and drum, we sang:

  • We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding
  • All Are Welcome – lyrics by Marty Haugen
  • Kyrie Eleison (Lord Have Mercy) – by Nick & Anita Haigh

Ending Prayer

Our ending prayer was from author J. Phillip Newell’s book, from Celtic Treasure.

If you are interested in learning more about Companions on the Way, we welcome your email!

Next meeting details can be found here.

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