VineDeloria2

Summary

The transcript discusses the systematic and scientific nature of indigenous knowledge, particularly among the Dakota and Lakota Sioux, as presented by Vine Deloria Jr. It challenges the stereotype of indigenous knowledge as primitive, highlighting its rigor and value. The script also contrasts Western science's repeatability and control with indigenous epistemology's attentiveness to experience, which includes dreams, visions, and inter-species communication. It emphasizes the importance of interpreting all experiences, ordinary and extraordinary, within a coherent narrative that guides moral and practical choices, reflecting a holistic view of the world.

Takeaways

• 📚 Deloria aims to present the foundational principles of Indigenous philosophy in North America, drawing heavily from Dakota and Lakota Sioux traditions.
• 🌟 He emphasizes that Indigenous knowledge is systematic and not inferior or primitive when compared to Western science.
• 🔬 Deloria critiques the misconception that Indigenous epistemologies are unscientific, highlighting their rigor and advancement.
• 👴 A missionary's account from 1919 illustrates that Indigenous peoples were capable of understanding and appreciating early 20th-century scientific concepts.
• 🌱 Indigenous people saw value in all experiences, considering them instructive and integral to their knowledge systems.
• 🌐 The Indigenous approach to knowledge is holistic, incorporating all experiences, including dreams, visions, and communications with non-human entities.
• 🧩 Indigenous knowledge is based on a system of pattern interpretation, where every experience is seen as part of a larger, coherent narrative.
• 🔍 The philosophy values attentiveness to experience, suggesting that the world communicates with us and reveals itself through our interactions.
• 🌿 There's an emphasis on the practical use value and moral content of knowledge, which contrasts with the value-neutral stance often associated with Western science.
• 👵 The Indigenous epistemology includes a reflective process where wisdom from old age can uncover previously unnoticed relationships and insights.

Q & A

What is the main goal of Deloria's discussion in the script?

Deloria aims to present the basic tenets of indigenous philosophy in North America, emphasizing that indigenous knowledge is systematic and not unscientific or primitive, drawing from his Dakota and Lakota Sioux background.

How does Deloria respond to the claim that indigenous knowledge is less advanced than Western science?

Deloria critiques this notion by asserting that the philosophical knowledge of tribal peoples is as systematic as Western science, and that indigenous forms of knowledge are not a prior stage of human development.

What is the significance of the account by A.M. Bead mentioned in the script?

The account by A.M. Bead, a missionary from 1919, is significant as it illustrates that Native Americans were capable of understanding modern scientific concepts and did not find them in conflict with their own systems of knowledge.

According to the script, how do indigenous people view the scientific view presented by modern science?

Indigenous people, as represented by Old Rising Sun, found the scientific view to be inadequate, not because it was untrue, but because it could not fully explain certain aspects of life and human experience.

What is the basis for the systematic knowledge that Deloria speaks of?

The systematic knowledge of indigenous people in North America is rooted in experience, with a focus on pattern interpretation to understand and make use of all experiences, including emotions, dreams, and communications with non-human species.

Why is every experience considered valuable in indigenous epistemology according to the script?

In indigenous epistemology, every experience is seen as instructive and valuable because it contributes to the understanding of life. The fundamental premise is that nothing can be missed or is false; only misinterpretations are possible.

How does the indigenous system of knowledge differ from exclusive epistemologies of control?

The indigenous system includes all experiences and does not discard any data. It seeks to find the proper pattern of interpretation for all experiences, ordinary and extraordinary, rather than excluding what does not fit a predefined paradigm.

What is the role of mystery in the indigenous system of knowledge as described in the script?

Mystery is accepted and valued in the indigenous system because it represents something that can be learned from. The system does not discard inexplicable experiences but instead seeks to understand them as part of a comprehensive narrative.

How does the concept of 'self-showing' relate to the indigenous approach to knowledge?

The concept of 'self-showing' aligns with the indigenous approach by suggesting that all things have an inherent language that reveals themselves to us. This is similar to how indigenous people believe the world communicates with them and they with it.

What is the importance of ethics in the indigenous system of knowledge as discussed in the script?

Ethics play a crucial role in the indigenous system of knowledge as it guides the interpretation of experiences in ways that are morally valuable and practical. It helps in making choices that benefit not just individuals but the broader community of humans and non-human beings.