The Narrative as a Way to Construct Transdisciplinary Knowledge: Building Upon Experience in a Polyphonic Way 1

Abstract

W hen trying to glimpse at the possible realization of transdisciplinary, Basarab Nicolescu points throughout his work at the powerful potentials of the narrative, particularly in its literary manifestation. In response to that and with the intention to contribute to the further development of transdisciplinary theory and methodology, we aim to explore the potentials of the narrative as a form of transdisciplinary knowing that is rigorous yet escapes from the strict methodology imposed by positive science. Our contribution will explore the narrative in its aesthetic form (literature), in its form of vivid culture as well as in its form of cosmological fundamentals (stories and legends). It will analyze if and how the narrative offers a platform to entangle the abundant heritage of human experiences, both in a historic as well as in an individual way. It will finally asks if this lively, discontinuous and complex way of knowing may be a base for the construction of a more open, accessible and democratic house of knowledge.

Integrative Transdisciplinarity:

“…This is what I mean by inquiry-based. Rather than starting with the existing topics, frameworks, and languages, found in a discipline, we start with a phenomenon or experience and describe it, preferably in the form of a narrative, and then explore what questions and connections arise (Panico & Dieleman, 2014). Then the search begins for what Morin calls pertinent knowledge (Morin, 2001).…”

Transdisciplinary hermeneutics; working from the inner self, creating ecologies of knowing

“…Engaging in dialogue allows us to dance with the world and to tune in with its rime and movements. It offers us the ability to see reality in polyphonic ways [24], and to seek dance partners with whom we can be co-creators of present movements and emergent futures, thus realizing presencing and anticipative Not-Yet consciousness. The notion of the surrounding as an intrinsically dynamic, ever changing, complex and systemic entity is very crucial.…”