Pope Francis and polarization
In 1973, there was a contrast among the Jesuits between a group that prioritized action based on academic and intellectual reflection, and another that focused on popular religiosity and proposed a faith close to the people, especially the poor.
Bergoglio attempted to reconcile these groups by combining the best aspects of each. For example, he required novices to dedicate hours to study while also engaging in social work in disadvantaged neighborhoods. However, this strategy did not resolve the tensions, and when new superiors were appointed in Rome in 1986, they began to dismantle the measures implemented during his tenure.
In his first book on metaphysics, Guardini proposed a third way to overcome the Hegelian dialectic of "thesis, antithesis, synthesis." The goal was to ensure that differences do not hinder progress in coexistence and dialogue.
Guardini explains that while there are irreconcilable oppositions, such as good and evil or beauty and ugliness, other oppositions do not necessarily lead to separation. These oppositions are connected by a "tension" that can bring fruitful outcomes. They are opposite realities, but one cannot exist without the other. For example, the concepts of "individual and community" or "word and silence" are considered "polar oppositions" because the tension between them opens up a broader meaning. If these oppositions are treated as "irreconcilable," and a choice is made to favor one pole or seek a synthesis that eliminates the tension, the growth potential is destroyed. The drama of polarization lies in mistakenly confusing a "polar opposition" with an "excluding opposition," which forces a choice between the two poles. This misconception "demands a choice" between the poles and oversimplifies reality into strict binaries.
This "polar tension" also applies to people: just because someone does not share my opinion does not necessarily make them an adversary. It is through this tension that we can collaborate and build something better.
Francis encapsulated four principles that help distinguish between "oppositions" and "contradictions":
- The first principle is that "Time is superior to space." This refers to the tension between 'time,' representing a broader epoch, and 'space,' representing the present moment. Prioritizing space leads to an obsession with resolving everything in the present. Prioritizing time means focusing on initiating processes rather than seeking immediate resolution.
- The second principle is that "Unity prevails over conflict." It is important not to become trapped in conflict but rather find ways to resolve it. This does not mean promoting syncretism or absorbing one faction into another, but rather preserving the valuable strengths that arise from conflicting polarities.
- The third principle is that "Reality is more important than the idea," emphasizing the importance of avoiding the separation of ideas from reality. Reality is always much more complex than any idea. This principle addresses the problem of ideologies.
- The fourth principle is that "The whole is superior to the part." It cautions against absolutizing what is secondary and encourages attention to the bigger picture to avoid getting caught up in trivial matters. It emphasizes the need to stay grounded and practical.
A conflict cannot be resolved by ignoring it, as it will eventually escalate, nor can it be resolved by allowing one party to prevail, as it suppresses plurality. Most importantly, "we cannot overcome conflict alone"; either all factions involved must transcend it, or it will remain latent.
According to the theory of "polar oppositions," tensions should not be ignored because they can lead to fruitful outcomes.
With excerpts from Javier Martínez Brocal
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