Wendell Berry: Piety and the Environment w/ Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. & Prof. Joshua Hochschild
May 9, 2024
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Prof. Joshua Hochschild discusses Wendell Berry's environmental philosophy, emphasizing virtues like stewardship and piety. They explore the interconnectedness between humans and nature, the significance of storytelling and sacred scripture, and how Catholic social teaching addresses environmental care within divine providence.
Berry's sacramental view of nature promotes reverence and stewardship.
Justice involves recognizing one's place and fostering gratitude for the environment.
Piety plays a vital role in cultivating a thankful heart for gifts received.
Storytelling connects individuals, emphasizing narratives in human existence.
Deep dives
Professor Joshua Hochschild's Background and Work
Professor Joshua Hochschild shares his background as a convert to Catholicism and a medieval philosophy scholar. He discusses his diverse themes of interest in Catholic intellectual tradition, including writings on Catholic higher education and influential authors like John Henry Newman. Hochschild highlights his engagements with unexpected topics like Sartre and 'Do Trees Have Souls?', emphasizing his passion for connecting diverse questions to the Catholic tradition.
Engaging In Fruitful Conversations About Environment
The discussion delves into motivating interest in controversial topics without succumbing to unproductive debates. Professor Hochschild stresses the importance of acknowledging strong opinions as opportunities for dialogue. He shares his teaching approach, emphasizing openness to diverse perspectives, active listening, and fostering a classroom environment where students feel heard and can engage deeply with challenging issues.
Wendell Berry's Sacramental Vision and Relationship with the Land
Exploring Wendell Berry's perspective on the environment, Professor Hochschild examines Berry's sacramental vision of nature as a meaningful cosmos. Berry's intimate connection to the land through farming exemplifies a reverent stewardship approach. Hochschild mentions Berry's influence on Catholic theologians to rediscover the tradition's resources and highlights Berry's ability to articulate the interconnectedness of elements in his vision, fostering deep spiritual reflections.
Reflections on Justice, Piety, and Gratitude Towards the Environment
Professor Hochschild discusses the concept of justice in recognizing one's place within a larger whole and fostering gratitude towards the environment. He emphasizes the virtue of piety as a component of recognizing dependence and gratitude for the gifts received. Hochschild advocates for cultivating a thankful heart to improve the world and enhance appreciation for the environment, promoting an attitude of stewardship and care.
Embracing the Gift-Like Nature of Reality and Stories in Catholic Social Teaching
Delving into the idea of gifts and narratives, Professor Hochschild draws parallels between the nature of gifts and storytelling. He reflects on the essence of storytelling in connecting individuals and their histories, emphasizing narratives as integral to human existence and understanding. Hochschild underscores the significance of storytelling in Catholic social teaching, portraying a broader narrative of human history within the context of divine providence and relationality.
Encouraging Gratitude and Appreciation for Gifts in Everyday Life
In fostering gratitude and appreciation for daily gifts, Professor Hochschild underlines the importance of recognizing and responding to what is given. He suggests ways to translate abstract appreciation for nature into concrete actions and attitudes, encouraging individuals to engage with and cherish the gift-like character of reality. Hochschild advocates for experiencing the world beyond mere utility or maximalism, embracing the transformative power of gratitude and thankfulness in cultivating a deeper connection with the environment.
Closing Reflections on the Importance of Stories and Gratitude
Concluding with reflections on the value of storytelling and expressing gratitude, Professor Hochschild highlights the transformative nature of narratives and the power of gratitude in shaping human connections. He stresses the storytelling aspect of gift-giving, emphasizing the relationship between the giver and the receiver in creating enriching narratives. Hochschild underscores the significance of storytelling in understanding deeper truths about existence and the role of structured narratives in fostering appreciation and acknowledgment of gifts.
Call to Action for Engaging with Professor Joshua Hochschild's Work
Professor Joshua Hochschild invites listeners to explore his writings and engage with his perspectives on his personal and professional website. He encourages further discussions and interactions, sharing insights and reflections on various topics related to Catholic intellectual tradition, medieval philosophy, and the environment. Hochschild extends an invitation for readers to connect with him online through his website and social media platforms, fostering ongoing dialogues and contemplations on significant themes.
Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. of Aquinas 101, Godsplaining, and Pints with Aquinas for an off-campus conversation with Prof. Joshua Hochschild about Wendell Berry, his sacramental view of creation, and virtues associated with stewardship of the environment.
You can watch this interview on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XFHDklTldIg
About the speaker:
Joshua Hochschild is Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he served as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
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