Native Science: Natural Laws of InterdependenceIn Native Science, Gregory Cajete "tells the story" of Indigenous science as a way of understanding, experiencing, and feeling the natural world. He points to parallels and differences between the Indigenous science and Western science paradigms, with special emphasis on environmental/ecological studies. After discussing philosophical foundations, Cajete addresses such topics as history and myth, primal elements, social ecology, animals in myth and reality, plants and human health, and cosmology and astronomy. In the Indigenous view, we human observers are in no way separate from the world and its creatures and forces. Because all creatures and forces are related and thus bear responsibility to and for one another, all are co-creators. Five centuries ago Europeans arrived on the American continent, but they did not listen to the people who had lived for millennia in spiritual and physical harmony with this land. In a time of global environmental degradation, the science and worldview of the continent's First Peoples offer perspectives that can help us work toward solutions. |
Contents
Telling a Special Story | 5 |
Philosophy of Native Science | 57 |
The Ecology of Native American Community | 85 |
Copyright | |
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agricultural ancient archaeoastronomy astronomy become ceremonies Chaco Canyon chaos chaos theory chinampa Chumash connection constellations context corn cosmology cosmos Coyote created creation stories creative process cycles dance developed Earth eco-philosophy ecological energy entities environment environmental evolved experience expression forms foundation gardens healing Hohokam Huichol human hunters hunting Inca Indian Indigenous science individual interaction journey knowledge Lakota land landscape language learning living things Marcia Keegan medicine wheel metaphoric mind Mexico modern moon Morning Star Mother mountain mythic Native American Native cultures Native science natural world Navajo Nazca Nazca lines orientation paradigm particular perception Permaculture peyote philosophy practice Pueblo Quetzalcoatl reality reflected relationship ritual role sacred Scar Face seeds sense shamans Sky Coyote social society solstice South America spirit spiritual ecology survival symbols tion traditions transformation tree tribal tribes understanding universe vision Watįkame Western science Western scientists worldview