‘In the end, we have the Gatling gun, and they have not’: Future prospects of indigenous knowledges

“Way-Centered” versus “Truth-Centered” Epistemologies

“…. mysticism" [17] (p. 60), and the like. In the absence of any explicit mention of and grounding in truth, then, the applicable idea would be that of "indigenous beliefs".…”

“…Against this understanding of knowledge, and its educational implications, it has been contended that indigenous knowledge places no special emphasis on "belief", "evidence" or "truth", but that, according to indigenous practitioners, it is rather "the way" that constitutes knowledge, harmonious interaction and appropriate models of conduct [17,22,23]. It has been argued, further, that cognitive states are (to be) seen as "maps", as useful and practical action-guides [24][25][26].…”

“…It has been argued, further, that cognitive states are (to be) seen as "maps", as useful and practical action-guides [24][25][26]. This is why (so the argument for "polycentric epistemologies" or "polycentric global epistemology" goes) divination, rain-making, rain-discarding, shamanism, sorcery, ceremony, ritual, mysticism, etc., must be acknowledged as ways of knowing alongside animal husbandry, botany, medicine, mathematics, tool-making, and the like [17] (p. 60).…”

“…Rather, they are concerned with identifying the proper path or appropriate model of conduct that will enable humans to live the kind of life suitable for human beings [17] (p. 57; emphasis added); [22,23]. These responses seem to contain two kinds of confusion.…”

“…. Correspondence truth played no role in their notions of wisdom, knowledge, or right belief [17] (p. 57).…”