Soren Kierkegaard: Wannabe to Authentic Scholar
by Dana Forbes | February 12, 2009
Soren Kierkegaard (S.K. from now on), an existentialist philosopher, provides a framework to move from a wannabe to an authentic scholar through recognizing “truth is subjectivity”(TS from now on). S.K. exhorts individuals to commit to truth, rather than a philosophical system. Before the connection is made between TS and becoming an authentic scholar, what is a wannabe?
Wannabes are individuals who exhibit the thoughts, actions, or life they think worthy or beneficial of emulating. There is a wannabe in all us. We wannabe good parents, successful in our profession, effective communicators, and even scholars. However, authenticity transcends merely emulating others and demonstrates itself through the consistency of my individual perceptions of myself with my thoughts, actions, and life. How do we whittle away the wannabe in us?
S.K. provides the tool to chip away at the wannabe in us: TS. S.K. bifurcated reality into historical and subjective truth. In the former, truth is scientifically based on what is objectively known by the knower. For example, Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States. In other words, this statement can be verified true or false by the way the world is or not. In the latter, truth is something the subject (the individual) passionately relates to. It is not just truth to you but for you: the passionate commitment to those things that inextricably make you who you are. We must not just emulate others, but commit to these truths to be authentic. S.K. encourages us in three ways to move from being a wannabe to an authentic scholar. How does TS translate to being an authentic scholar?
First, authentic scholars move from self-deception to honesty. To move toward authenticity, we need to examine ourselves, asking difficult questions about what we are passionate about in our disciplines. For example, we need to take inventory of our strengths and weaknesses in the doctoral competencies. To protect ourselves from self-deception, we need to engage faculty, Capella colleagues, and friends who will provide honest feedback about areas of academic growth. When we recognize these areas of growth for us, we need to commit passionately to developing and demonstrating them in our scholarship (subjectivity).
Second, authentic scholars move from indifference to passion. Indifference asks questions of research for the sake of asking a question, composes papers and posts simply to earn a grade, presents pedestrian responses to courseroom posts, and communicates vague and turgid prose. In contrast, passion asks questions to explore questions that connect theory and practice, generates prose that are lucid and logical, challenges learners to examine presuppositions about their worldview and academic disciplines. We relate ourselves passionately to these areas and demonstrate our vested interests through our scholarship.
Third, authentic scholars move from being cowardly to courageous. We are cowards when we recognize our passions but shirk from exhibiting them in scholarship because we fear what other’s may think. For example, individuals who recant from controversial research because of the fear of rejection or desire to circumspectly communicate but abjure because they don’t want to be perceived as a perfectionist. The more courage we exhibit in the face of risk the more we become authentic in scholarship. What areas can you indentify that would help move you from a wannabe to an authentic scholar?
2 Responses to "Soren Kierkegaard: Wannabe to Authentic Scholar"
Sharon Beepath says:
Hi
I really like the idea of TS, particularly as it relates to meditation. You know there have been so many techniques proposed in both Eastern and Western philosophies regarding mental control and development that one wonders if the proposers ever stop to think about whether theirs is simply one of many ways towards the same goal.
You talk about honesty to a flaw, passion to an indifference to all else almost like an end in itself, and courage as if one could willingly ignore the many dangers to life and limb by simply turning a blind eye. I think it is not that simple for us wannabes. One must have humility and regret for past transgressions and apparent weaknesses. One must recognize the need for growth as a natural course for all beings. One must see passion in its many phases that is in many ways influenced by others rather than our own inner thoughts and desire for truth. And of course there is real danger too.
Courage takes some level of “belief” or “faith” in something unknown or unseen. Something bigger than ourselves. Something that has the greater good in view … at least that is what we wannabes would like to think.
Sure, we have much ground to cover. But for those who have arrived as it were, to that place where they can be honest at all times, passionate without pause, and courageous even when the odds against them appear insurmountable, they have seen and have a vision that is at once real, visible, and tangible and they stand ready to make it so for others as well.
This was an interesting commentary.
Dana Forbes says:
Sharon,
I appreciate your thoughtful response. With that said, I agree with you that it is not simple; however, I think the benefits outweigh the risks of trying to live a life of authenticity. (I have found this to be true in my life.) Also, I think you are absolutely correct to highlight that humility is foundational to move toward authenticity.
Toward this end, you raised an important issue that part of TS needs to transcend ourselves. You wrote, “Courage takes some level of “belief” or “faith” in something unknown or unseen. Something bigger than ourselves.” What is that something that transcends ourselves and provides formation for authenticity in our lives? How do we adjudicate the tension of altruism and our passion for scholarship?
I look forward to your response.