Listening, Vocation and Presence: From Technical Research Skill to an Ethical and Transformative Posture

This article explores the act of listening from a pluri-disciplinary perspective at the intersection of qualitative research, theology and spirituality. Drawing from Gérald Boutin’s methodological and ethical insights, the inquiry places listening at the centre of qualitative interviewing, not as a mere technical skill but as an ethical and transformative posture. The discussion is extended to the Christian concept of vocare, where listening to God becomes an meaningful act with profound implications for one’s life. The inquiry is also enriched by the thinking of Paul Tournier, who sees listening as an act of total presence, both spiritual and therapeutic. The article acknowledges the complexity of listening and the many opportunities it offers for research, as my exploration of vocation among Haitian university students grappling with temporal needs and higher calling suggests. The article proposes positioning listening as an integral part of a vision of research methodology and practical theology that promotes authentic understanding, service, and healing.