The Novelty of the Object and the Subject of a "Culture of Unity"

Abstract

Every cultural innovation emerges and develops in a social context with which it has a symbiotic relationship. The charism of unity, by teaching a method for establishing profound ways of relating among people of differing cultures and disciplines, brings about a social transformation that produces, in turn, what could be called a new culture. This article tries to discern the way in which this new cultural paradigm develops. It looks, in first place, at its intellectual/cognitive effects in the field of academic research, and then also at the meaning of the term ‘unity’ insofar as it is the object under examination, at what it means for the personal subject of this culture, and finally at the process of its evolution. In conclusion the article examines this culture’s methodology as it is modelled by the Abba School where both dialogue and interpersonal relationships are given the highest value and the process of reciprocity itself acquires a personal face, that of the Risen Lord present among two or more thinkers met together in his name (cf. Mt 18:20).