Why confronting different faiths might actually strengthen your own

Space · Published 28 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Most people believe that exploring other religions weakens their personal convictions. However, philosopher Menachem Fisch argues the opposite: true religious self-understanding requires a deliberate confrontation with "otherness." By engaging with beliefs we do not share, we can overcome our own inability to critically judge our own faith.

Menachem Fisch, a professor of History and Philosophy of Science at Tel Aviv University, posits that humans suffer from a fundamental epistemic limitation: we are often poor critics of our own beliefs. This creates a "crippling problem of normative self-critique," where it is difficult to objectively evaluate the foundations of one's own worldview because those views provide the very lens through which we perceive reality.

To solve this, Fisch suggests that exposure to communities committed differently to oneself provides a necessary critical challenge. This process requires "epistemic humility"—the active recognition that our own perspectives may be flawed. By engaging in what he calls "dialogism," individuals can move beyond mere tolerance of diversity toward a deeper understanding of their own values.

Fisch’s work explores this through the lens of reflexive emotions, specifically shame, humor, and humility. He argues these emotions are not just human traits but are definitive of our agency and normativity. These emotions bestow "categorical value on otherness," transforming religious diversity from a hurdle to be overcome into a necessary blessing for realizing full human potential.

Ultimately, Fisch suggests that the "we" is essential to the "I." Realizing one's full capacity as a thinking being requires engaging with others who offer different perspectives. In this framework, interreligious dialogue is not about seeking a middle ground or erasing differences; it is a tool for sharpening the clarity and integrity of one's own faith.

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