Buber's "I You" Relationship -- Jessica Schwier

In class, we've talked a lot about Martin Buber's works. We focused on his discussion of an I-You relationship and an I-It relationship. The It can also be He or She. These are two examples of basic word pairs and are always said together. This means that every relationship we have is with another person. However, we can treat these kinds of relationships in different ways. With an I-You relationship, you are treating the other person as a subject. You are encountering the person. Both parts of the relationship interact with the other and are mutually respected. The way these two parts relate is known as reciprocity. Both I and You reciprocate the actions to one another. This I-You relationship is a valued relationship and this is what most want to have with other people. The I-It relationship treats the other person as an object. In this relationship, you are exeriencing the other. In an I-You relationship, you are interested in learning about the other. However, in an I-It relationship, you are not as interested in the other half. For example, in an I-You relationship, you would have a conversation with the other person. In an I-It relationship, you would have a conversation at the other person. They do not interact as much and are not as much a part of you as you are of them. I feel that many people treat others with an I-It relationship because most people only care about themseleves in today's society. It is important that we try and have I-You relationships where mutual respect and interest is practiced.