Dialogical Imaginations

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Language is often seen as a means of communication between individuals, while imagination is frequently viewed as a product of the inner self. This volume shifts the focus from private introspection to the dialogical formations that imagination shares with language and the social processes involved in world-making. The term “Aisthesis,” meaning perception, is explored through the lens of dialogue, as illustrated by artist Giulio Paolini. It encompasses societies' abilities to understand their own conditions, including internal structures and external cultural and natural contexts. The essays showcase diverse cultural expressions of social perception, ranging from documentary to fictional forms. Contributors from various fields—philosophy, sociology, literary and art history, media, and film studies—examine figurations, topoi, and stereotypes shaped by communal interactions and media practices. While many discussions center on dialogical humanism, the aim is not to revert to restrictive normative models. Instead, the text engages with contemporary debates on post-humanism, biopolitics, and global interdependence, acknowledging past critiques of humanism by thinkers like Foucault and Judith Butler. The editors advocate for a reevaluation of humanism that emphasizes its dialogical nature, proposing that humanity should be viewed as an ongoing argument rather than a fixed set of norms.