We are living in a time in which there is a lot of hostility and suspicion towards the Other. This is tragic because when we get to know the Other, we find that while she is very different, she is also exactly like us. And it is through this difference and sameness that we both define ourselves and find ourselves at home with people who share our humanity. We shut ourselves down when we shut ourselves off from the Other. We can do this as an individual, and we can do this as a nation. When we do, we stagnate, turn inwards, and grow stale. Because of this, it is good to consistently practice the art of hospitality. Our word hospitality comes from the Latin word hospes, which means both “guest” and “host”. As we practice hospitality, we both welcome the Other into living a fuller, richer life, and we find ourselves welcomed in this same way.
Practice Hospitality
Published by shellypruittjohnson
My name is Shelly Johnson, and I am a writer and philosopher with a Ph.D. in philosophy. One of my primary personal and philosophical interests is how we can learn to love ourselves and each other better in order to cultivate personal and political resilience. I teach ethics and a variety of other courses at a local college. I am the author of the blog Love is Stronger. I am also the author of three logic and critical thinking books for high school and middle school: _Argument Builder_, _Discovery of Deduction_ (co-author), and _Everyday Debate_, published by Classical Academic Press. You can reach me at shellypruittjohnson@gmail.com. View all posts by shellypruittjohnson
So important, yes. Great post. Even when we practice hospitality towards individuals, groups tend to maintain in-group and out-group differences, why it is so difficult to achieve one human community. Therefore I see need for new concepts of hospitality on societal level. Thanks
Mathias: I think you are so right about this! Thanks for this comment. It is provoking a lot of thought this morning. Also, thank you for your lovely blog.