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.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Indigenous Philosophy and Epistemology

The paragraph introduces the goal of Deloria to outline the fundamental principles of indigenous philosophy in North America, with a focus on the Dakota and Lakota Sioux traditions. Deloria aims to demonstrate that indigenous knowledge is systematic and not less rigorous than Western science. He challenges the stereotype that indigenous knowledge represents a primitive stage of human understanding. The text includes an account from 1919 by a missionary named A.M. Bead, who suggests that Native Americans were capable of understanding modern scientific concepts and did not view them as contradictory to their own systems of knowledge. The paragraph emphasizes the idea that indigenous knowledge is not unscientific and is as systematic as Western science, with a methodology rooted in experience and interpretation of patterns.

05:01

🌿 Systematic Indigenous Knowledge and Experience

This paragraph delves into the systematic nature of indigenous knowledge, which is based on experience and the interpretation of patterns. It contrasts with exclusive epistemologies that discard certain experiences. Indigenous philosophy values all experiences, including emotions, dreams, visions, and communications with non-human species. The paragraph discusses the idea that every experience has value and instructs us, and no experience is false or to be discarded. It introduces the concept of a system of patterns used to interpret experiences, which is a holistic approach that includes both ordinary and extraordinary experiences. The paragraph also touches on the idea that the world is constantly creating itself and that all data must be considered in the indigenous system of knowledge, with the task of finding the proper pattern of interpretation.

10:03

🌱 Ethical and Practical Knowledge in Indigenous Systems

The final paragraph discusses the difference between knowledge developed for repeatability and paradigm-making versus the discernment of patterns that have practical use value and moral content. It introduces the concept of an 'epistemology of attentiveness,' where indigenous people are attentive to their own experiences and the world around them, suggesting a form of communication between humans and the environment. The paragraph also hints at the integration of ethics into the indigenous system of knowledge, contrasting with the notion of value-neutral science. It sets the stage for further discussion on the type of knowledge that arises from such a perspective, which will be explored in the next video.

Keywords

💡Indigenous Philosophy

Indigenous Philosophy refers to the worldviews, beliefs, and values of indigenous peoples, which are deeply rooted in their historical and cultural experiences. In the video, the speaker aims to present the systematic nature of indigenous knowledge, emphasizing that it is as rigorous and advanced as Western science. The philosophy is illustrated through the experiences and teachings of the Dakota and Lakota Sioux, showing that indigenous epistemologies are not primitive but rather offer a different, yet equally valid, way of understanding the world.

💡Epistemology

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and scope of knowledge. In the context of the video, it is used to contrast Western scientific knowledge with indigenous knowledge systems. The speaker argues that indigenous epistemologies are systematic and should not be dismissed as unscientific or primitive. The video discusses how indigenous people have their own ways of knowing that are just as valid and structured as Western approaches.

💡Systematic Knowledge

Systematic Knowledge is knowledge that is organized and structured in a logical and coherent manner. The video emphasizes that indigenous knowledge is not just a collection of beliefs but is, in fact, systematic, meaning it follows a pattern or method that allows for the interpretation and understanding of experiences. This is exemplified by the way indigenous people interpret dreams, visions, and interactions with the natural world, which are all considered valuable and instructive.

💡Pattern Interpretation

Pattern Interpretation is a method of understanding the world by recognizing and analyzing patterns within experiences. The video discusses how indigenous knowledge systems use pattern interpretation to make sense of all experiences, both ordinary and extraordinary. This approach values all experiences as instructive and rejects the notion of discarding data that doesn't fit pre-existing paradigms, instead seeking to find the proper pattern of interpretation.

💡Experience

In the video, 'Experience' is highlighted as the foundation of indigenous knowledge systems. It encompasses not only physical encounters but also emotional, spiritual, and visionary experiences. The speaker stresses that no experience is to be discarded, and all experiences are considered valuable for learning and understanding. This is in contrast to Western scientific methods, which may exclude data that doesn't conform to a particular hypothesis.

💡Spirit

Spirit, in the context of the video, refers to a non-material aspect of reality that is integral to the indigenous worldview. It is mentioned in the account by MCG Bead, where the Sioux people's understanding of spirit is contrasted with Western scientific concepts. The video suggests that indigenous peoples have a deep respect for the spiritual dimension of life, which influences their approach to knowledge and understanding.

💡Anomaly

An anomaly, in the video, is something that does not fit into a pre-existing pattern or framework. The speaker argues that in indigenous knowledge systems, there is no such thing as an anomaly because everything is considered to have value and to instruct in some way. This contrasts with Western scientific approaches, which may view anomalies as errors or outliers to be explained away.

💡Attentiveness

Attentiveness, as discussed in the video, is the practice of being mindful and responsive to one's own experiences and to the communications from the world around us. It is part of an epistemology that values the active engagement with the environment and the recognition that the natural world can reveal itself to us. This concept is central to the indigenous approach to knowledge, which sees the world as alive and communicative.

💡Moral Content

Moral Content refers to the ethical or moral implications embedded within a system of knowledge. The video suggests that indigenous knowledge systems not only provide explanations of the world but also guide moral and ethical behavior. This is in contrast to the idea of Western science as value-neutral; indigenous epistemologies integrate practical use value and moral content, emphasizing the importance of making choices that benefit the community and the environment.

💡Inter-species Communication

Inter-species Communication is the concept of interaction and communication between different species, including humans. The video mentions this as an aspect of indigenous experiences that are considered valid and instructive. It reflects a worldview where non-human entities are seen as capable of communication and as part of a larger community of beings.

Highlights

Deloria's goal is to present basic tenets of indigenous philosophy in North America.

Deloria critiques the notion that indigenous knowledge is unscientific or primitive.

Indigenous knowledge is systematic and not less advanced than Western science.

The account by a missionary named Bead in 1919 shows Native Americans understood early 20th-century science.

Native Americans saw scientific views as inadequate, not untrue.

Systematic knowledge is rooted in experience and the need to interpret it.

All experiences have value and instruct us; none are to be discarded.

Experiences are not false; they can only be misinterpreted.

There are no coincidences or incidental meetings in indigenous epistemology.

Indigenous people take all experience and create a system of pattern interpretation.

The world is constantly creating itself, and everything is alive and making choices.

Anomalies are accepted because of the value in their mystery.

All data must be considered, and the task is to find the proper pattern of interpretation.

Ordinary and extraordinary experiences must come together in a coherent narrative.

Wisdom from old age brings reflection and discovery of relationships.

Epistemology of attentiveness involves communication with the world around us.

Indigenous knowledge includes discernment of patterns with practical use value and moral content.

Future discussion will address the ethical implications of knowledge production.

Transcripts

foreign

okay so

part of deloria's goal here is to give

us some basic tenets of

um indigenous philosophy in North

America and he is Dakota or he was

Dakota Sue and so I'm pretty sure that a

lot of what he's drawing from is from uh

Dakota and Lakota Sioux

um in any case he mentioned somewhere

that you know

um certain particulars may be disagreed

upon but he's confident that he's giving

us a good overview but before he does

that

um in relation to the distinction

between the types of epistemologies that

I was just making he wants to also show

show us show the reader that

this the knowledge that they have is

just as systematic

as our knowledge so um he also wants to

show that it's not anti or

non-scientific and that it's not uh

primitive in any way because you know um

the idea is that

um

um

people make claims like well these

indigenous forms of knowledge uh

represent a prior stage of human

development and they're somehow

um less

um rigorous or less Advanced as if these

people were the past just living in the

future

um so he critiques the notion that

indigenous knowledge is unscientific or

might represent a more primitive or

earlier stage in humankind's

understanding of the world

um

and says that philosophical knowledge of

tribal peoples is as systematic as

Western science

and I'm going to talk about the

methodology in a second but before I do

so on page 65 there is an account by a

man called bead

um

and I'm just going to read some of it

because I think this is important right

this is coming from uh when is this

coming from

1919

a MCG bead a missionary

title

um

so he says this is the middle

um of course the history of any people

contains mythology

but is such a mythology composed

entirely of myths added one to another

or is there beneath all and through all

and in all and all compelling something

unexplained by our scientific force and

energy

which the Western Sioux thought of

sincerely

um claim to know of

as spirit

it does not bother the old Indians to

understand in an elementary way what we

mean by the modern scientific attitude

there is no difficulty in leading an old

tetonsu

Indian to understand the scientific

attitude

and that the processes that give rise to

the phenomena may be more and more known

by man and maybe to some extent

controlled by man

and that in this way the forces of

nature may become a mainspring of

progress in the individual

and in the human race

the idea of atoms and electrons is easy

and pleasing to an old Indian

and he grasps the idea of chemistry

such things make ready contact with his

previous observation and thinking

so

it wasn't difficult to teach

well the modern science of the early

20th century

um

to native peoples here they understood

exactly what was going on according to

this account and how these conclusions

were come to so they understood the

method

um

and understood that many of the things

that science claimed were also many of

the things that their systems of

knowledge claimed so to return to this

idea not false but inadequate

um continuing in the turtle mountains

North Dakota hairy boys

was with me eight months at his request

I allowed him to teach the old Chippewa

and Cree Indians

uh the modern scientific attitude with

its view of things

the chief among his peoples was old

Rising Sun

But Rising Sun speaking the conclusion

of all pronounced the scientific view

inadequate not bad or untrue but

inadequate to explain among many other

things how man is defined and know a

road along which he wishes and chooses

to make this said progress

um

so there you have it

um I think this is a really important

passage in this essay so

um what is the system of knowledge or

how does it come about

okay so the system

um or the way in which this philosophy

this this mode of production producing

knowledge is also systematic

systematic knowledge that deloria speaks

of is rooted and built from experience

um and what we're going to find is that

because Spirit experience is treated in

such a way

the production of knowledge arises out

of the need to be able to interpret

experience and so the systematic

knowledge

um that the indigenous people in North

America have was a system of pattern

interpretation or a system of patterns

used to interpret so on

um everything that we experience has

value and instructs Us in some way

so our experience must be the basis for

our knowledge about the world

no experience is to be discarded and no

experience is false experience can be

misinterpreted but it cannot be wrong

there are no coincidences or cases of

incidental meeting

so we take everything in we take all

experience we throw nothing out this is

very much the opposite of the exclusive

epistemologies of control we were

talking about

this includes not only emotions but

things like dreams Visions or the

perceived Communications with non-human

species or inter-species communication

being attempted to experience

understanding the experience as a whole

is something with the life of its own

and he says the sum total of our

experiences has a reality

um leads to the development of a system

of patterns used to interpret experience

and make use of

um

and so I'm going to read a little bit

from page 69.

um

Indians believed that

everything the humans experience has

value and instructs Us in some aspect of

life

the fundamental premise is that we

cannot miss experience anything

we can only misinterpret what we

experience therefore in some instances

we can experience something entirely new

and so we must be alert and try not to

classify things too quickly

the world is constantly creating itself

because everything is alive and making

choices that determine the future

there cannot be such a thing as an

anomaly in this kind of framework

some things are accepted because there

is value in the very mystery they

represent

so we don't get rid of we don't throw

out things

that don't fit the Paradigm or that

don't

um aren't immediately explicable by the

system we have in place

because in the Indian system all data

must be considered

the task is to find the proper pattern

of interpretation for the great variety

of ordinary and extraordinary

experiences we have

ordinary and extraordinary must come

together in one coherent comprehensive

storyline

sometimes this narrative will deal with

human behavior and sometimes with the

behavior of higher powers

but it will have a point to it and will

represent a direction of future growth

finally with the wisdom that old age

brings there will be a time for

reflection and the discovery of

unsuspected relationships that make

themselves manifest in Consciousness and

so come to be understood

and another important thing about this

which I'm not sure if deloria says this

directly anywhere in this essay in

particular

is that when when I mention an

epistemology of attentiveness

we're attentive to our own experience

and in our experience we're in some

sense communicating with the world

around us the world around us is

communicating to us and the idea in part

here

um is that the things in the world the

territory that we're trying to map uh

will tell us about themselves right

um this is not

um something which Western science uh

doesn't believe in some sense or another

um and in fact uh there's a philosopher

named Martin Heidegger who defined

language which inheres in all things for

him

uh he defied language as self-showing

which is to say that language is the

Revelation whereby things reveal

themselves to us

um and sort of tell us what they are

yeah self-showing so

here we see the difference between

developing knowledge for repeatability

for Paradigm

um

making patterns of observation definite

and stably true and the discernment of

patterns that have practical use value

and moral content and we'll talk about

this more and I'll talk about this more

in the next video because this is very

important this is where we come back to

this critique of well if science is

value neutral

where do ethics come from

um I.E patterns for interpreting our

experience in ways that make us are that

help us make the right choices not only

for ourselves but for a broader

community of human and non-human beings

um and so the next time around I will

talk a little bit about

what type of knowledge there is

um

from such a perspective