On the Telling of Stories

Abstract

I owe much to those who have generously contributed to this collection; not only for their kindness in doing so, but also for their enduring insights, many of which have helped me immeasurably over the years to reach an understanding of phenomena otherwise beyond my ken. Reading these writings has confirmed this time and again, and I am deeply grateful for their words and intelligence. I have been warmed by the personal notes, charmed by their stories, captivated by their sensitive reasoning. Here, I want to give something in return, well beyond my past writings.

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”

—Robert Frost

This is based, somewhat remotely, on my “Afterword” for Richard M. Zaner (guest Editor), “Performance, Talk, Reflection: What Is Going On In Clinical Ethics Consultation?” Special Issue forHuman Studies, 22: 1 (January 1999), with Introduction and Afterword, pp. 1–3, 99–116. (Published simultaneously as a separate hardcover book by D. Reidel, Holland and Boston, 1999.)