William Isaacs > Quotes

“The intention of dialogue is to reach new understanding and, in doing so, to form a totally new basis from which to think and act. In”
― William Isaacs, Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together

“The capacity for talking together constituted the foundation for democracy, far more fundamental than voting. As one ancient Greek philosopher noted, “When voting started, democracy ended.”
― William Isaacs, Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together

“Dialogue, as I define it here, is about a shared inquiry, a way of thinking and reflecting together. It is not something you do to another person. It is something you do with people. Indeed, a large part of learning this has to do with learning to shift your attitudes about relationships with others, so that we gradually give up the effort to make them understand us, and come to a greater understanding of ourselves and each other.”
― William Isaacs, Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together

“The word violence comes from roots that mean “the undue use of force.” Thought that imposes or defends is violent.”
― William Isaacs, Dialogue: The Art Of Thinking Together