Two masters and authorities on dialogue in professional mentoring

Abstract

This essay discusses the image of the two masters Socrates and Kierkegaard in professional mentoring traditions based on non-fiction literature as empirical material. The purpose is to justify an expanded understanding of Socrates' dialogue activities and Kierkegaard's concept of "the art of helping". In traditions we meet the wandering and friendly Socrates who, on an equal footing with his partners in dialogue, walks around in the realm of knowledge, and exercises his mastery in dialogue so that others shall discover new aspects of their own knowledge.

Historical sources nevertheless supply a contradictory and composite picture of Socrates also being ruthless in his cross-examination, making both friends and enemies. Socrates has been linked to an indirect mentoring role and a constructivist view of knowledge. A more comprehensive picture of his activity and ideas reveals his far more versatile mentoring practice.

Kierkegaard's popular concept of "the art of helping" has in the mentoring traditions been associated with empathy and restraint of views and opinions. Kierkegaard's empathy was also connected to a purpose of bringing the person who received mentoring over to Kierkegaard's own worldview position.

A more comprehensive picture of the two authorities Socrates and Kierkegaard can open up for a more nuanced and complex mentoring practice that includes a more direct and explicit approach. Methodology and the approach in the article are hermeneutic and based on close reading of texts. The purpose of this essay is to reconstruct and conduct a critical discussion to make the understanding of ideas more versatile.