Let's start a Gad Circle

 What is a   Gad Circle©?

A Gad Circle [1.0]© starts out as a safe place where we learn to listen and learn to speak.  We wander together in conversation, look at different subjects, and share our perspective in a respectful, equal, diverse setting.  We share our horizon with others.  A horizon is a term that assumes our point of view has limits (we can only see up to the horizon around us)

    Merriam-Webster says: to Gad about is to be on the go without a specific aim or purpose.

It is hoped that the Gad Circle will grow and develop (from 1.0 to 2.0) to a place where we can be open to the possibility that the other may be right... or have a better perspective... or contribute something to our own perspective.  A Gad Circle [2.0]© invites questions and challenge to our limited perspectives.  This can be achieved after a level of trust is established.

    Merriam-Webster also says: a gad is a chisel or pointed iron or steel bar for loosening ore or rock.

It is hoped that the Gad Circle will ultimately help you grow, open up new areas of thinking, and lead to a broader, healthier ability to understand and relate to the people and world around you.  There is a challenge here.  It can be disorienting to see ways that your perspective needs to be revised or corrected.  When you achieve a Gad Circle [2.0] you are open to seeing concrete ways not only your perspective needs revising but your life practice needs a bit of changing.  Remember that you are not the only one whose perspective is limited - the others in your group need your perspective - because there are likely ways that your perspective can correct their understanding.

The main reason we call this a Gad Circle is because it seeks to practice many of the insights of Hans-Georg Gadamer - a philosopher who developed the art of interpretation and a field called Philosophical Hermeneutics.  We want to start a Gadamer Circle.

Today we live in an age where AI can be a helpful tool to bring an academic, whose books might be difficult to understand, into your living room.  We invite Gadamer into the coffee shops where we practice his insights into the way people understand and relate to one another.  I invite you to ask an AI chatbot to help you learn and apply the insights of Gadamer in your life.  You might ask: "How can my life practice the insights of Gadamer"  

Here is a link to the AI version I use:    Chat GPT

Here are David's top 11 [1.0].  

Here are 11 Principles for Gad Circle [1.0] members to follow (some might call them the rules of engagement).  We commit to demonstrating:

1) Mutual respect

2) The equality of all

3) The value of diversity x2 x2 (Diversity of person, culture, and perspective)

4) To be human is to be limited in perspective

5) We listen to understand

6) We are open to learning

7) We don't try to win, fight, attack (instead we cradle "deep values" - Handle them with care)

8) We use "I" statements from our perspective (not manipulating with an agenda)

9) Thoughtfulness about how we speak, not just what we speak

10) We learn to listen / learn to speak

11) You have a valuable perspective and voice.

As we wander in Gad Circle conversations, the hope is that the Gad Circle [1.0] will create a level of belonging and participation.  It needs to be a safe place for anyone to learn to listen and speak.  It is also hoped that your circle will grow into a Gad Circle [2.0]

David's Top 12 for Gad Circle [2.0]

soon to follow!

[The Gad Circle as well as the 12 rules for our Gad Circle [2.0] were developed in conversation with ChatGPT, an AI tool by Open AI on April 10, 2026.  The idea for a Gad Circle was something David Warner developed many years ago - growing out of his personal study of Hans-Georg Gadamer's book: Truth and Method]