Towards Co-evolution of sciences
No shortcut in integrating local and global knowledge
Overview
1. Origin: Compas
2. Knowledge in intercultural perspective
- Definitions
- Sources and focus
- Indigenous perspective
- Intercultural perspective
3. Typology of relations between forms of knowledge
4. Endogenous development
5. Challenges: Strategy for co-evolution of sciences and
cultures
Compas Presentation
Origin
•
•
•
•
•
Food production: achievements and limitations
HEIA….LEISA
PTD
Focus on Indigenous Knowledge
Beyond technology: cosmovision/culture
Spiritual
world
Three dimensions:
- Natural
- Human
- Spiritual
Compas Presentation
Human
World
Natural
World
Approach
• Action research in different ecological, economic and
cultural environments:
– 25 partners in 14 countries in 4 continents
– Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development
• Intercultural dialogues:
– Compas magazine
– Workshops
• Scientific support and co-evolution of cultures and
sciences: University consortium (9 countries)
Compas Presentation
Compas products
• Two books:
Compas Presentation
Compas products
• Website: www.compas-network.org
• Six Compas Magazines
– 4000 subscribers English
– 2000 subscribers Spanish
• TMF funding till 2006
• University consortium in
status nascendi
Compas Presentation
Compas position on co-evolution
of sciences
• Global and local knowledge can not simply be
integrated by combining the best of both.
• The interface needs assessment of:
– Existing power relations
– Epistemological differences (focus and sources)
– SWOT of each of the traditions involved
– Possibilities and results of initiatives to address
SWOT
And decision to collaborate, co-learn and co-evolve.
Compas Presentation
Knowledge in intercultural
perspective
Definitions
– Information: data processed and given a meaning.
– Knowledge: Assumptions, concepts, and information
acquired and processed by people: Meaning given to
phenomena and the basis for action.
– Science: The complex of producing, storing, retrieving
and utilization of knowledge within a theoretical and
methodological framework accepted by a professional
community.
• Best approximation/subject to improvement
• Socially constructed
• Different sciences exist in different cultures and
professional communities
• Dominant science: Carthesian
Compas Presentation
Knowledge in intercultural
perspective
Focus, sources and objectives of Knowledge
Focus:
HOW
Cause/effect
WHY
Meaning
Source
Ratio
knowing from
outside
Intuition
knowing
from inside
Objective
Control
Sense giving
Compas Presentation
Knowledge in intercultural
perspective
Rules of the game of inter-scientific dialogue:
Issues to be addressed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Risk of imposing rules by dominating knowledge
Bias on rationality or on intuition
Diversity in types of modernization
How to support diversity in modernization
When is intercultural exchange a threat and when
an asset.
Mechanisms and strategies for co-evolution
Compas Presentation
Knowledge in intercultural
perspective
Indigenous perspective:
Smith,(Maori):
Formal science describe local notions of space, territory, time,
numbers, sacred, rituals, initiation, visions, harmony and
duality, seniority and morality in external language and
concepts. Local management systems and solutions are not
taken serious.
Self-determination and revitalization requires:
1.
Recovery of own ways of explaining, learning, teaching,
experimenting
2.
Healing and restoring possible deficiencies of local knowing
3.
Mobilization of all available local resources for creating local
livelihoods
4.
Transformation aiming at structural improvement of local
knowledge
Compas Presentation
Knowledge in intercultural
perspective
Multi-civilisational perspective (Huntington):
Each civilization has its own identity, defined by:
language,
history,
belief,
religion,
customs,
institutions,
self identification
knowledge
Compas Presentation
Early civilizations, religions and
knowledge systems
Civilizations
1.
Mesopotamia 3500 AC
2.
Egipto 3200 AC
3.
Indo 2500 AC
4.
China 1800 AC
5.
Grecia 700 AC
6.
Celtas 200 AC
7.
Roma 0
8.
Germanos 500 BC
9.
Mayas 800 DC
10.
Árabes 800 DC
11.
Zimbabwe 1200 DC
12.
Reinos Africanos
Occidentales 1300 DC
13.
Incas 1400 DC
Compas Presentation
Religions
B Budismo
C Cristianismo
H Hinduísmo
I
Islam
J Judaísmo
S Shintoismo
T Taoismo
Process of colonization and
domination
• Africa and Latin America:
– recipient of western knowledge; hardly longer producer of
own knowledge. Marginalisation.
• Asia; India/China:
– written traditions; more continuity: Parallel knowledge
• Postcolonial period:
– continuous dominant position of western/global knowledge
• Differentiation of western knowledge:
– Neopositivism, Postmodernism, Globalisation
• Globalisation and localisation of knowledge
– Penetration of global markets, knowledge and values
– Renaissance of African, Asian and American knowledge
Compas Presentation
Civilizations ± 2000
Western
Hindu
Compas Presentation
Source: Huntington: Clash of civilizations
Contemporary sciences
• Africa
– Emphasis on WHY
– Role of ancestors and elders
– Role of spiritual leaders, sacrifices
– Hierarchy in divine beings
– Sacred character of nature
– Cyclic notion of time
– Magical powers (+) and (-)
c.f. MILLAR
India
- Five senses and the mind
- If mind is free of prejudices, it can complement the senses and
understand reality from within
- Very long time perspective
- Meditative techniques
c.f. BALU
Compas Presentation
Contemporary sciences
Andes
- Emphasis on WHY
- Sacred time –space (pacha mama)
- Spiral notion of time
- Reciprocity
- Living astrology
- Fiestas
c.f. DELGADO
Europe
- Enlightenment/Carthesian science: emphasis on HOW
- Materialism
- Post modernity: diversity, holism, self regulation and chaos
c.f. RIST
Compas Presentation
Typology of relations
between knowledges
Type
1. Clash or hostilities:
Violent occupations, wars,
resistance, fights
Examples
Fights between religions, war
for independence
2. Going underground
To avoid repression, hostilities
or rejection, local knowledge
continues in clandestinity
Sjamanism,
Maya priests
Spirit medium in Africa
3. Parallel knowledge
Co-existence of different
knowledges without interaction
Ayurvedic and bio-medical practices
Conventional and bio-dynamic farming
Compas Presentation
Typology of relations
between knowledges
4. Utilitarism and selective
inclusion
Dominant science validates
local technologies and
selectively adopts certain
elements
5. Suppression and substitution
Dominant system forces
indigenous concepts to be
substituted
6. Paternalism
Traditional knowledge is
bottleneck to modernization and
must be updated by science
from outside
Compas Presentation
Local herbs for health treatments
Arab mathematics
Chinese gunpowder
Missionary conversion of religions
Privatization of land
Introduction of European languages
Republican system of governance
democracy and laws
Transfer of technology in health
and agricultural development
Typology of relations
between knowledges
7.
8.
Syncretism
Beliefs, knowledge and rituals
are combined in such a way
that both believe that their
culture is dominant
Romanticism
Local or global knowledge is
considered as basically good
and romanticized; it should
remain as it is.
Compas Presentation
Carthesian science and
Catholicism and Maya c.q.
Andean knowledge and beliefs
integrated
Going native;
Rejection outside contributions
Resistance to exchange
Typology of relations
between knowledges
9. Co-evolution
Different knowledges evolve
simultaneously by revitalization
of own and by interaction with
other knowledge
10. Transcultural and
transdisciplinary synergy
Each knowledge transcedes
own limitations and together
the different knowledges work
towards holistic science that
goes beyond the actual
disciplinary and paradigmatic
limitations
Compas Presentation
India: exchange and comparing
health traditions;
Co-existing farm style in Europe;
Picads in Bolivia
Empathic Learning and Action in
Ghana.
Concept of Gaia;
Holistic medicine,
Typology: Implications
• Power differences explain domination
• Existing knowledges are mutually influenced and
interpenetrated
• Typology has political and ethical dimensions: no value
free relationship exists.
• Inter-scientific dialogues makes clear starting position with
power aspects and epistemological differences (why-how,
rationality-intuition).
• Publication only if it serves local interests, protect property
rights: in local language, co-authored, not providing
technical details
Compas Presentation
Typology: Implications
• Dialogue implies horizontal relationship:
– Willingness to listen
– Openness to learning
– Responsiveness to information,
questions and suggestions
– Courage to criticize when considered
necessary
• Endogenous development can indicate the
processes or revitalization and conditions
and mechanisms of co-evolution
Compas Presentation
Typology: Implications
– Risks of intercultural exchange:
• Extraction of local knowledge
• Disturbing status quo
• Domination by outsiders
• Introduction of new lifestyle
• Disrespect for culture and spirituality
– Code of Conduct
• Accept conditions for hospitality and initiation
• Respect for diversity and local values
• Be a learner
• Support endogenous development
Compas Presentation
Endogenous development
• Development based mainly,
but not exclusively, on locally
available resources. It has
the openness to consider,
modify and integrate
traditional and outside
knowledge. It has
mechanisms for local
learning and experimenting,
building local economies and
retention of benefits in the
local area.
Compas Presentation
LOCAL USE OF
RESOURCES
Cultural/
Spiritual
Social
Natural
Human
Economic
& financial
Produced
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
1. Building on local needs
and resources
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
2. Improving local
knowledge and
practices
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
3. Local control of development options
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
4. Identification and
use of development
niches
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
5. Selective use of
external resources
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
6. Retention of benefits in the local area
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
7. Exchange and learning between cultures
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
8. Training and capacity building
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
9. Networking and
strategic partnership
Compas Presentation
Supporting local initiatives for endogenous
development: 10 entry points
10. Understanding the
systems of knowing
and learning
Compas Presentation
SUPPORTING LOCAL
INITIATIVES
Understanding systems
of knowing & learning
Building on
local needs
LOCAL USE OF
RESOURCES
Networking and
strategic partnerships
Cultural/
Spiritual
Training and
Capacity building
Social
Improving local
knowledge and skills
Natural
Human
Economic
& financial
Produced
Exchange and learning
between cultures
Retention of benefits
in the local area
Compas Presentation
Local control of
development
options
Identification of
development niches
Selective use of
external resources
Towards a strategy for
co-evolution of knowledges
1. Re-building relationships between different
actors:
Local people, leaders, NGO’s, governmental and
religious agencies, universities, donors and
international agencies. Horizontal- supportive
2. Learning about cosmovision and local knowledge
Material, Social and Spiritual knowledge
3. Learn from community coping with dominant
knowledge
Type of relationship, different strategies used to
survive, change, co-evolve. Differentiated for social
categories
Compas Presentation
Towards a strategy for
co-evolution of knowledges
4. Community dialogue and decision about possible
interaction with other knowledge
Assess potentials and risks of exchange, take
decisions on how to go about contacts.
5. Self defining strong and weak points of local
knowledge, and how to deal with it.
How and Why, ratio and intuition, dynamics in
learning, teaching and innovation
6. Self defining strong and weak points of dominant
knowledge, and how to deal with it.
How and Why, ratio and intuition, dynamics in
learning, teaching and innovation
Compas Presentation
Towards a strategy for
co-evolution of knowledges
7.
Exchange of experience and CO-EVOLUTION
–
–
–
–
–
–
exchange epistemologies and paradigms
exchange self-assessment of knowledge systems
look for synergy and complementarity
question and challenge each other
balance power and financial differences
establish mechanisms for exchange and mutual
learning; joint prioritizing planning and
implementing research, modification of research
methods, exchange in workshops and
publications,
Compas Presentation
University Consortium
• Supporting field work
• Research on E.D.
• Developing a curriculum for university
students on endogenous development
• Regional exchange
• Theory building based on own
concepts, logic, values
• Co-evolution of sciences
Compas Presentation