Poiesis. Oor maaksels en hul wêreld na aanleiding van Versfeld se Pots and Poetry

Abstract

In this review article the first comprehensive interpretation of Martin Verfeld’s Pots and Poetry is presented. The nature of the philosopher’s discursive practice is presented with reference to his other work. It is argued that “connection” (of meaning) is the continuous theme of the nine independent essays. Connection justifies the non-analytic form of reasoning in the book and calls for comparision between philosophical and poetic writing. Analytic writing is symptomatic of the modernist instrumentalist relation to reality and the “cannibalist ego”; writing that echoes the carmen universi initiates the therapy consiting of reverberating with the original cosmic generosity. Versfeld’s attempt at re-connecting the technical and artistic heritage of the Greek poiesis is examined. Poetic existence is shown to be the essence of a life that gives creative recognition to the original meaningful interconnection of the world. The cultural critical and political dimensions of such an existence are exposed and submitted to criticism.