Dialogical Self Theory: Our mind as a society of contradicting voices
Dialogical Self Theory is a new development in the social sciences that considers the self as an ‘internal society of voices.’ Like in the society at large, the diversity of voices in the self are becoming tumultuous. They contradict, oppose, fight, but also can cooperate with each other. The basic idea in this presentation is that, when society becomes more complex and diversified, also the self becomes more complex and diversified.
How does the self deal with inner differences and conflicts? What are the implications for empathy, not only empathy for the real others outside but also for the voices of others as represented in our own mind? What is the role of emotions? Is it possible to develop a dialogical relationship between emotion and reason?
In my keynote I want to address those questions and explore the implications of this theory for the practice of supervision and coaching.
More information about Prof. dr. Hubert Hermans:
Look at the video 'Hubert Hermans' summary of the Dialogical Self'