The Scholarly and Pathic Cavalier: Max van Manen’s Phenomenology of Practice

Abstract

It is much easier for us to teach concepts and informational knowledge than it is to bring about pathic understandings. But herein lies the strength of a phenomenology of practice. It is through pathic significations and images, accessible through phenomenological texts that speak to us and make a demand upon us that the more non-cognitive dimensions of or professional practice may also be communicated, internalised and reflected upon. For this we need to develop a phenomenology that is sensitive to the thoughtfulness required in contingent, ethical, and relational situations (van Manen, 2014, p. 269).