Anthropophagy, European enlightenment, science and technology studies, and responsible knowledge construction in Brazil

Abstract

Many parts of the world receive from abroad not only objects of technology, but also scientific discoveries, and organizing elements and practices as well. Since these entities materially comprehend a formidable part of their modes of existence, let us say that non-Western countries result from ontologies/epistemologies that in large part come from abroad. This manifested coloniality emerges in the feeling of contradiction between national realities and the ideological prestige of the Western imperial centers that serve as models to them. This configures a malaise that is deeply rooted in educated Brazilians. I discuss lines of flight from that malaise in an articulation that configures a philosophical and political novelty in Brazil. In examples concerning computing in Brazil, I juxtapose elements of STS, the metaphorical anthropophagic movement, and the European Enlightenment project, to enact a more symmetrical, dialogical, and inclusive world by constructing ‘respectful enough’ stories. In doing so, the anthropophagic movement, previously in practice restricted to the artistic realms, incorporates sciences and technologies. In each of these stories, the enlightened motto ‘daring to know’ is juxtaposed with the anthropophagic metaphorical motto ‘eat the stranger’ around modern Western scientific and technological issues in local situated ways.