The notion of charismatic teacher by Leszek Kołakowski Cover Image

Leszka Kołakowskiego pojęcie charyzmatycznego nauczyciela
The notion of charismatic teacher by Leszek Kołakowski

Author(s): Piotr Kostyło
Subject(s): Education
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: charismatic teacher; ethics without a code; educating to hate; giving hope and confidence
Summary/Abstract: A Polish philosopher Leszek Kołakowski, the author of essays pertaining to philosophy of education, emphasised the charismatic dimension of the teacher’s work as paramount in this area. The following article analyses three selected essays by Kołakowski, in which the philosopher deals with the theme of the teacher’s charisma. Bringing together the overlaying concepts and insights from each of these three essays, in the first instance, the article elaborates a comprehensive image of a charismatic teacher. Then, it argues that Kołakowski’s notion of a charismatic teacher is more negative than positive. Namely, the philosopher devotes a great deal of attention to the detrimental attitudes that inhibit charisma in teachers, rather than those which would guarantee their success as charismatic educators. Kołakowski suggests, then, the article concludes, that teacher’s charisma is absolutely unique and cannot be defined, unless it fully develops within an individual.

  • Page Range: 249-266
  • Page Count: 18
  • Publication Year: 2020
  • Language: Polish