Mystery: Poetizing by Way of Gelassenheit Toward a Pedagogy of Awe

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1916-4467.40840

Keywords:

mystery, Gelassenheit, physis, Heidegger, education, knowing, teaching, learning, curiosity, awe, poetizing, meditative thinking, calculative thinking, poetic knowledge, technology, non-objectification

Abstract

Common ways of thinking in education revolve around the purposes of science, curiosity and calculative modes of thought, resulting in instrumental methods and ends in education and teacher education. Mystery, defined as physis from ancient Greek metaphysics, which highlights both presence and absence, is typically left out of knowing, teaching and learning. Today’s education can benefit from unique approaches emphasizing mystery as presence and absence through “poetizing” or poetic engagement. Poetic knowledge, meditative thinking and awe provide new ways of experiencing curriculum and pedagogy. Borrowing from Martin Heidegger’s Gelassenheit, or “letting be”, and poetizing after this manner, provides a particular posture for encountering things differently in non-objectified ways. Curiosity and awe in curriculum, emotional responses related to mystery, give insight for showcasing the importance of non-objectification, a re-situated stance toward things in an increasingly technological era. For mystery to take its place in education, it will require a move from calculative thinking to meditative thinking, from curiosity to awe, by way of poetizing (qua Gelassenheit).

Author Biographies

Sharon R. Harvey, Arizona State University

Sharon R. Harvey serves as Associate Teaching Professor with Arizona State University as well as Director of the General Education/General Studies program. Her research interests include environmental education, and Heidegger and education.  She works with K-12 schools through supervising an after-school tutoring program and has served on the local governing school board.

Douglas D. Karrow, Brock University

Douglas D. Karrow is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies, Faculty of Education, Brock University. His current research interests are empirically and philosophically oriented:  his empirical work focuses on environmental education programs in P-20 contexts, while his philosophical work explores the application of Martin Heidegger’s philosophical ideas to education.

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Published

30-06-2025

How to Cite

Harvey, S. R., & Karrow, D. D. (2025). Mystery: Poetizing by Way of Gelassenheit Toward a Pedagogy of Awe. Journal of the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies, 22(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.25071/1916-4467.40840