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The purpose of this paper is to address authority in educational relations by focusing on the specific vulnerabilities to which one who successfully occupies the position of authority in the contemporary democratic context is exposed. The purpose, from a philosophical point of view, is articulated around a broad acceptation of the concept of benevolence and in permanent resonance with the dual challenge of individual autonomy and the autonomous functioning of collectives, which seems to be that of the society of individuals. It is a question of showing that to be able to sustainably show kindness towards the other in the occupation of a place of authority passes by a form of benevolence applied to oneself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to address the question of authority in the frame of educational relationships, focusing on the specific vulnerability to which the one successfully occupying an authority position s exposed in the contemporary democratic context. The reflexion, conducted from a philosophical point of view, is articulated around a wide acceptation of the kindness, and in permanent resonance with the double-dealing of individual autonomy and autonomous functioning of collectives, which seems to be the functioning of the individuals’ society. The idea here is to evidence that durably being benevolent to each other when in an authority position requires a certain kindness to oneself, which we refer to as vigilance towards oneself, and which appears to be necessary when authority is considered as a posture of service, influence and accompaniment, rather than a posture of command.

The aim of this paper is to address the question of authority in the frame of educational relationships, focusing on the specific vulnerability to which the one successfully occupying an authority position s exposed in the contemporary democratic context. The reflexion, conducted from a philosophical point of view, is articulated around a wide acceptation of the kindness, and in permanent resonance with the double-dealing of individual autonomy and autonomous functioning of collectives, which seems to be the functioning of the individuals’ society. The idea here is to evidence that durably being benevolent to each other when in an authority position requires a certain kindness to oneself, which we refer to as vigilance towards oneself, and which appears to be necessary when authority is considered as a posture of service, influence and accompaniment, rather than a posture of command.