One comes to an appreciation of Wendell Berry not through any discursive process, but rather by what you might call a direct intuitive vision: his appeal is not primarily rational, but poetic. That isn't to say that Berry's vision of the world is irrational; far from it. But people tend to forget their Aristotle.
Okay, I know. Most people have never heard of Aristotle. But then, they wouldn't know Berry either, would they? The point is that The Master of Those Who Know recognized that the poetic reasoning is one form of informal reasoning and is perfectly legitimate.
While others help you understand; Berry helps you see.
The always incredible folks at the Intercollegiate Studies are holding a conference called, "The Humane Vision of Wendell Berry," Saturday, October 20, in Louisville, Kentucky at the Seelbach Hotel. Berry will be there for a portion of it, apparently.
If you're anywhere in the vicinity (as I am), it is a not-to-be-missed event.
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