otherness

The first thing we are going to do is determine the etymological origin of the term alterity that we are now dealing with. In this sense we have to establish that it comes from Latin, specifically from the word "alteritas", which is the result of the sum of two components: "alter", which can be translated as "other", and the suffix "-dad", which it is used to indicate "quality".

Alterity is the condition to be another. The word alter refers to "other" from the perspective of "me". The concept of otherness, therefore, is used in a philosophical sense to name the discovery of the conception of the world and the interests of an “other”.

Otherness must be understood from a division between a "me" and a "other", or between a "U.S" and a "they". The "other" has customs, traditions and representations different from those of the "me": that's why it is part of "they" And not from "U.S". Otherness implies putting oneself in the place of that "other", alternating own perspective with that of others.

In other words, alterity becomes a good sign of interest in understanding oneself. Hence, it is in charge of promoting both dialogue and agreements and even the ways of peace to any possible conflict.

Precisely because of everything it is and what it means, normally when talking about otherness another concept also comes to mind, that of otherness. Sometimes they are used as synonyms, however, the latter we have to say is that term that is used to express that when a person is starting a conversation with another, what they do is take possession of it. How do you do that? Resorting to common phrases such as "if I were you, what I would do would be ...".

Precisely because of what they mean, because of the values ​​that express and transmit both otherness and otherness, they are used in certain fields of study, such as History or Anthropology. And it is that they serve to understand the positions of some parties or others in any event or fact.

This means that alterity represents a will to understand that encourages dialogue and encourages peaceful relationships. When a Jewish man enters into a loving relationship with a Catholic woman, otherness is essential to understand and accept the differences between them. On the other hand, if there is little otherness, the relationship it will be impossible since the two worldviews will only collide with each other and there will be no room for understanding.

Otherness can also be understood on a broader level. The encounter between two countries or two peoples implies putting different ways of life face to face. If there is a will to alterity, integration may be harmonious, since each people will respect the beliefs of the other. That dialogue, on the other hand, will enrich both of you. On the other hand, if there is no otherness, the stronger people will dominate the other and impose their beliefs. This happened, for example, from the arrival of the European conquerors to America.

Some scholars, such as the case of Adrián Vázquez Fernández, have considered that there are basically three types of alterity: political alterity, ethical alterity, and ethical-political alterity.