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I remember that Hahn used to speak often about the Eros of Teaching. Strangely I don't remember anything specific. I haven't been able to find anything as yet in my father's lecture notes. So I did an online search and found a brilliant article by Kathleen Hull about the Eros of Teaching and how it can be used effectively in the classroom. I attach it because of its importance. Here, in brief, is what I gleaned from Hull's article: Teachers and students are notoriously known for becoming sexually involved. But this isn't the Eros of Teaching. The Eros does have a physical element of desire, but it is more about the passion, excitement and joy of finding someone with whom one can share a common desire for knowledge. If someone becomes passionate about politics or literature, it is most likely because the person had a person or group who inspired this passion---the eros. The most effective way of inspiring Eros in a student is for the teacher to admit their own lack of knowledge (ie. Socrates and his "I know nothing"). The teacher's acknowledgment of his own lack helps the student recognize their own lack. Love is the pursuit of what one lacks. The Eros is the pursuit of this love. The teacher cannot fill the lack, but can go in pursuit of the love together with the student, filling his own lack in the process. This article was haunting. It explained most of my academic life, revealing to me all the instances of Eros with professors, and those instances in which I have been the object of Eros to others. It makes Hahn's loss all the more difficult. Even though I hadn't seen him in years, I knew he was out there and available. I am in pursuit, but he was potentially available to be present. Now I feel alone and dislike the idea that I might be the teacher to others. It's a repugnant responsibility. 
4 Comments
Athena Hahn
5/20/2015 10:06:13 am
I always prefer it when someone else holds up the entertainment section. The show never feel like it quite fits, but I think we have to do it:for ourselves and for one another, if we are lucky someone showed us how.
Michael Teschler
9/18/2019 08:53:19 pm
John Hahn was one of my most influential teachers. Had him at Rio Hondo, thought about his pure insight often.
Michael W Teschler
11/6/2019 07:43:33 am
Are you out there?
Richard
4/4/2020 02:43:24 am
"That which you most admire shall you become." I have always remembered those words that John spoke so long ago. At the time (circa 1994) I dearly wanted to be a poet and lived in pursuit of that life for fifteen years. Eventually, it was clear that my calling was elsewhere. I became a teacher. But I carry this man, John Hahn, with me always. Today I teach middle school and while most of my colleagues stress conditioning students to follow this rule and that rule, I teach kids about how to become free. I do this because that's what John taught me. If you are willing to be responsible, you can be free. Leave a Reply. |
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