The Inventive Schoolmaster

“A constant belief seems to give life to Kohan’s theoretical work and philosophical practice. A supposition that one could never prove, or disprove, motivates Kohan’s ceaseless erring and essaying, his efforts to invent school. We read it in-between the lines of nearly all of his published work, and those who have had the chance to take part in his manner of philosophical askēsis feel it in his practice. It is a belief that he shares with Rodríguez: All children, adolescents, and adults, from all walks of life, from any corner of the globe, no matter their economic status, occupation, gender, race, or ethnicity, can philosophize. But perhaps more profoundly, and it is here where I think Kohan’s written work and practice mirror the pedagogy and text of Rodríguez, philosophizing, living philosophically, with anyone, for anyone, we can invent school. The Inventive Schoolmaster: Simón Rodríguez is indeed about the inventive Simón Rodríguez. More importantly, however, it is an essay which shows us how a life of philosophical essaying and errantry can invent school. And in this regard it is also an introduction to the singular form of Walter Kohan’s philosophy of education.” – Jason Thomas Wozniak