psychagogy

English

Noun

psychagogy (uncountable)

1. (religion, philosophy) Guidance of the soul.
   • 1981-1982, Michel Foucault, The Hermeneutics of the Subject: Lectures at the Collège de France 1981--1982‎^[1], published 2005:

     In the Christian type of psychagogy we will see that although it is true that the person who provides spiritual direction must obey a number of rules, and that he has a number of responsibilities and obligations, the most fundamental and essential cost of the truth and of "truth-telling" will be borne by the person whose soul has to be guided.

   • 2006, James N. Comas, Between Politics and Ethics: Toward a Vocative History of English Studies‎^[2], page 112:

     An even more resounding echo of Plato's Gordias can be heard in this passage: the connection between psychagogy and pedagogy.

   • 1996, John T. Fitzgeraldn, editor, Friendship, Flattery, and Frankness of Speech: Studies on Friendship in the New Testament World‎^[3]:

     Emphasis falls on the correction of error and participation in mutual psychagogy. This emphasis on reciprocal correction in friendship is congruent with the ideal of friendship of many and runs counter to the common saying that one should judge a person's character before friendship is proffered.

2. (psychology) A psychotherapeutic method of influencing behaviour by suggesting desirable life goals.
   • 2013, Oliver Brachfeld, Inferiority Feelings: In the Individual and the Group‎^[4], page 49:

     The idea of a 'psychagogy' only occupies a secondary place, and has been more the concern of the disciples than of the master.

Related terms

• psychagogue