In dialogue with nature: The centrifugal and centripetal voices of historic trees

Abstract

Dialogism posits that at the core of life lies honest, open, mutual relationships between otherwise independent beings. This position differs from the psychologism that lies at the core of many dialectical philosophies in psychology. The current article examines the two core elements of such dialogue—that which pulls us apart and recognizes the uniqueness of the individual (the intrinsic, centrifugal voice), and that which expands us beyond ourselves and that builds bridges across our divisions (the extrinsic, centripetal voice). The text explores these two elements within the framework of communion with historically significant elements of nature. More specifically, it examines how two particular trees—one in Warsaw, Poland and one in Basking Ridge, New Jersey—inspire deep I-Thou dialogue (in the language of Martin Buber) in ways that differently highlight the importance of the centripetal and centrifugal elements of genuine dialogue. The text explores how we can meaningfully engage with individual non-human voices from nature. It also highlights the importance of materiality within dialogism, and it shows how historically important objects can speak to history in ways that show variation in degrees of intrinsic and extrinsic focus.