Converting Horizons: Theological and Sociological (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781645506812)

Between pure objectivism or positivism - knowledge is what corresponds to external reality - and simple subjectivism or constructivism - knowledge is what reflects personal interests and values - "critical realism" argues that there is objective reality but we have to be critical in our apprehension and understanding of it. Because knowledge is historically situated, culturally conditioned, and positioned within a socio-political matrix. Therefore, there are different perspectives and varying horizons. I apprehend reality from my perspective and understand reality from that perspective. Others have different perspectives and horizons, based on their different histories and cultures, influenced by their varied social classes, genders, races/ethnicities, and affected by their sexual orientations and gender identities. Perspectivism demands dialogue between different perspectives, interrelations between varying horizons, openness to partial truths of others. For this to happen, conversion is essential, intellectual, moral and religious. Conversion is the movement from one horizon to another, the ability to shift from one perspective to another, which involves openness and acceptance of the "other" and the "different," especially the stranger, the alien, the foreigner, the subaltern, the poor, the exploited, and the oppressed.