This article by emeritus researcher Stephen Talbott, originally published in 2003 (In Context #9), attempts to illuminate what Goethe meant when he said his “intention is to portray rather than to explain.” Steve gives a living characterization of portrayal by comparing and contrasting it to explanation.

This episode should be paired with Craig Holdrege’s audio article “Characterize, Don’t Define.” They provide two distinct, yet complementary, perspectives and expressions of the central practices and goals of The Nature Institute by two of its founders.