ZeePedia

LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (continued):The Need for Caution

<< LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE:Changing Definitions of Local Knowledge
ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT:Influence of Development Notions >>
img
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ­ SOC401
VU
Lesson 38
LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (continued)
Scientific Knowledge vs. Local Knowledge
Is local knowledge ultimately equivalent to knowledge gained through science, or is it structured entirely
differently? This is an age-old topic of debate in anthropology; the debate concerned with rationality and so-
called alternative modes of thought.
A corresponding practical question is if local knowledge can be utilized within the framework of
scientifically-based measures? Or, is local knowledge a holistic counter-model to science (to be used to
criticize measures founded on analytical science)?
Most characterizations of local knowledge are defined in complete contrast to scientific knowledge. But
local and scientific knowledge are neither completely different nor entirely the same; they display both
commonalities and differences.
Similarities between Local & Scientific Knowledge
Local knowledge and knowledge derived from science are similar primarily in having an empirical and a
methodological basis. Both local knowledge and science use observations of the outside world which are in
principle accessible and communicable.
While both forms of knowledge use experiments, local knowledge proceeds rather from observations
gained through trial-and-error or so-called "natural experiments", i.e. inferences drawn from the impacts of
natural changes in certain quantities. Scientific knowledge on the other hand relies on controlled
experiments.
Distinctions between Local & Scientific Knowledge
Scientific knowledge seeks information which is transferable to any spatial or social situation, i.e. which is
not context-bound. As a result, scientists know a great deal about small sections of reality. In contrast, local
knowledge systems seek spatially, situation-bound or context-bound information.
The validity of items of local knowledge is locally restricted, i.e. they cannot be transferred to other local
contexts. The potential for generalization and thus also mutual learning is in principle limited with local
knowledge. Owners of local knowledge are often only inadequately aware of market mechanisms.
Potential for Anthropological Contribution
The inter-cultural perspective of anthropologists enables them to reflect on and integrate both ways of
knowing, and for seeing where to draw the line. Local knowledge, out of its cultural situation, loses its frame
of reference, and without the necessary skills to decipher it becomes meaningless.
The Need for Caution
While local knowledge increases people's empowerment, enhances the visibility of their problems, is geared
to subsistence and risk minimization, leading to more sustainable solutions, a cautious approach has to be
adopted.
Practices which are based on local knowledge are not per se ecologically sound, necessarily socially just, or
even democratic. Neither is local knowledge equivalent to "people's knowledge" in the sense that it would
always be shared by most or even all members of a group.
Useful Terms
82
img
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology ­ SOC401
VU
Democratic ­ a system based on sentiments of the majority
Risk minimization ­ measures taken to decrease given risks associated with a particular activity
Subsistence - survival
Suggested Readings based on Internet Resources
Students are advised to read the following paper (available in PDF format from the following web-site for
this lecture), which provides useful and interesting information:
Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity conservation and development
http://www.ciesin.org/docs/004-173/004-173.html
83
Table of Contents:
  1. WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY?:Cultural Anthropology, Internet Resources
  2. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE AND THE APPLICATION OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
  3. MAJOR THEORIES IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Diffusionism
  4. GROWTH OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY (continued):Post Modernism
  5. METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Comments on Fieldwork
  6. METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (continued):Census Taking
  7. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD
  8. ECONOMIC ANTHROPOLOGY (continued):THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
  9. FOCUSING ON LANGUAGE:Languages of the World, Structure of Language
  10. FOCUS ON LANGUAGE (continued):Levels of Complexity, Cultural Emphasis
  11. OBTAINING FOOD IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:Optimal Foraging, Suggested Readings
  12. FOOD AND CULTURE (continued):Food Collectors, Food Production
  13. OBTAINING FOOD IN DIFFERENT CULTURE (continued):Pastoralism, Agriculture
  14. RELEVANCE OF KINSHIP AND DESCENT:Kinship Criteria, Rules of Descent
  15. KINSHIP AND DESCENT (continued):Tracing Descent, Primary Kinship Systems
  16. THE ROLE OF FAMILY AND MARRIAGE IN CULTURE:Economic Aspect of Marriage
  17. ROLE OF FAMILY AND MARRIAGE IN CULTURE (continued):Family Structures
  18. GENDER AND CULTURE:Gender Stratification, Suggested Readings
  19. GENDER ROLES IN CULTURE (continued):Women Employment, Feminization of Poverty
  20. STRATIFICATION AND CULTURE:Social Ranking, Dimensions of Inequality
  21. THEORIES OF STRATIFICATION (continued):The Functionalists, Conflict Theorists
  22. CULTURE AND CHANGE:Inventions, Diffusion, Donor, Conventional
  23. CULTURE AND CHANGE (continued):Cultural Interrelations, Reaction to Change
  24. CULTURE AND CHANGE (continued):Planned Change, Globalization
  25. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION:Bands, Tribal Organizations, Chiefdoms
  26. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (continued):State Systems, Nation-States
  27. POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (continued):Social Norms, Informal Mechanisms
  28. PSYCHOLOGY AND CULTURE:Emotional Development, Psychological Universals
  29. PSYCHOLOGY AND CULTURE (continued):Origin of Customs, Personality Types
  30. IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE:Ideology in Everyday Life, Hegemony
  31. IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE (Continued):Political ideologies, Economic Ideology
  32. ASSOCIATIONS, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES:Variation in Associations, Age Sets
  33. ASSOCIATIONS, CULTURES AND SOCIETIES (continued):Formation of Associations
  34. RACE, ETHNICITY AND CULTURE:Similarity in Human Adaptations
  35. RACE, ETHNICITY AND CULTURE (continued):Inter-group Relations
  36. CULTURE AND BELIEFS:Social Function of Religion, Politics and Beliefs
  37. LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE:Changing Definitions of Local Knowledge
  38. LOCAL OR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE (continued):The Need for Caution
  39. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT:Influence of Development Notions
  40. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (Continued):Contentions in Development
  41. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (Continued):Operational
  42. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ART:Relevance of Art, Art and Politics
  43. CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND ART (continued):Art as a Status Symbol
  44. ETHICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY:Ethical Condemnation, Orientalism
  45. RELEVANCE OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY:Ensuring Cultural Survival