I-it moments are utilitarian, goal- and future-directed. I-thou moments are purposeless or goal-less and present. Both kinds of moments are part of life. In I-thou moments there are two individuals meeting, being open and honest in the moment. In I-thou moments the individuals are personally present and vulnerable, simply being together. In I-it moments there is an agenda, some thing or some function is being sought, and I relate to the other as being there to serve a purpose. I-it moments can be fine when the agenda is out in the open, and are a problem when there is a hidden agenda. I've had some I-thou moments in which I and another are being soul to soul in a spiritual agape love, and such moments are precious and few, as Sonny Geraci sang. I-it and I-thou moments are easy to tell apart. When I'm out to get something from the other I'm in an I-it moment. When I'm simply meeting and being met, being open in the present and without purpose or agenda, I'm in an I-thou moment.
On Mar 11, 2017 david doane wrote :
I-it moments are utilitarian, goal- and future-directed. I-thou moments are purposeless or goal-less and present. Both kinds of moments are part of life. In I-thou moments there are two individuals meeting, being open and honest in the moment. In I-thou moments the individuals are personally present and vulnerable, simply being together. In I-it moments there is an agenda, some thing or some function is being sought, and I relate to the other as being there to serve a purpose. I-it moments can be fine when the agenda is out in the open, and are a problem when there is a hidden agenda. I've had some I-thou moments in which I and another are being soul to soul in a spiritual agape love, and such moments are precious and few, as Sonny Geraci sang. I-it and I-thou moments are easy to tell apart. When I'm out to get something from the other I'm in an I-it moment. When I'm simply meeting and being met, being open in the present and without purpose or agenda, I'm in an I-thou moment.