Highlight the difference between Indigenous Philosophy and Western Science

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A long-standing difference in the worldview of Europeans, and those living in European settler societies, and the worldviews of Native Americans is that Native Americans traditionally viewed (and still view today) what most members of Western Industrialized societies would call the natural and supernatural worlds as one inseparable reality. In this essay you will write about this difference in worldview relying primarily on Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass. Other course material may be integrated into your response but you must rely primarily on the Kimmerer book. How does Kimmerer acknowledge this difference and what are some examples from the book of this difference in worldview? Please limit your use of direct quotes. Rephrase things in your own words instead of quoting directly from the book except for one or two short quotes to support your discussion.

 

 

Sample Solution

In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist, acknowledges the difference in worldview between Europeans and Native Americans in the way they view the natural and supernatural worlds. She writes, “For the Anishinaabeg, the natural and supernatural worlds are not separate. They are one and the same.” (Kimmerer, 2013, p. 12)

Kimmerer provides many examples of this difference in worldview throughout her book. For example, she writes about the Anishinaabe understanding of plants as relatives. She says, “To the Anishinaabeg, plants are not simply objects to be used or exploited. They are relatives, and we are related to them.” (Kimmerer, 2013, p. 12)

Another example of the difference in worldview is the Anishinaabe understanding of the land as sacred. Kimmerer writes, “The Anishinaabeg believe that the land is sacred and that we have a responsibility to care for it. We are not the owners of the land; we are custodians.” (Kimmerer, 2013, p. 13)

The European worldview, on the other hand, is more dualistic. Europeans traditionally viewed the natural and supernatural worlds as separate, and the land as a resource to be exploited. This difference in worldview has led to many conflicts between Europeans and Native Americans, including the destruction of the environment and the displacement of Native peoples.

Here are some specific examples from the book Braiding Sweetgrass that illustrate the difference in worldview between Europeans and Native Americans:

  • The Anishinaabe understanding of plants as relatives: Kimmerer writes about how the Anishinaabeg have a deep understanding of the plants that grow in their territory. They know how to use plants for food, medicine, and other purposes. But more than that, they see plants as relatives. They believe that plants are alive and have their own intelligence and spirit.

For example, Kimmerer writes about the Anishinaabe relationship with the maple tree. She says that the maple tree is a “gift tree” that provides the Anishinaabeg with maple syrup, sugar, wood, and other resources. She also writes about the Anishinaabe belief that the maple tree is a living being with its own spirit.

  • The Anishinaabe understanding of the land as sacred: Kimmerer writes about how the Anishinaabeg believe that the land is sacred. They believe that we have a responsibility to care for the land and to live in harmony with it. They also believe that the land is a source of knowledge and wisdom.

For example, Kimmerer writes about the Anishinaabe belief that the land is a teacher. She says that the land teaches us about how to live in a sustainable way and how to be good stewards of the environment.

The European worldview, on the other hand, is more dualistic. Europeans traditionally viewed the natural and supernatural worlds as separate, and the land as a resource to be exploited. This difference in worldview has led to many conflicts between Europeans and Native Americans, including the destruction of the environment and the displacement of Native peoples.

It is important to note that not all Europeans and Native Americans have the same worldview. There is a great deal of diversity within both groups. However, the difference in worldview that Kimmerer describes is a general trend that has been shaped by the history of colonization and exploitation.

Kimmerer’s book is a powerful reminder of the importance of respecting the natural world and of living in harmony with it. She also teaches us that we can learn a great deal from the wisdom of Native American cultures.

 

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