LOCAL KNOWLEDGE | Local Ecologies of Knowledge: Towards a Philosophy of Ethnobiology

Summary
Indigenous and other local communities possess complex biological knowledge that is increasingly recognized in collaborative approaches in the agricultural, environmental, and health sciences. However, collaborations between local communities and academically trained scientists are commonly challenged by deep differences in epistemologies, ontologies, and value systems. For example, an Indigenous fisher may be an expert on a local marine ecosystem but rely on spiritual fishing norms and metaphysical assumptions that raise questions about compatibility with academic ecology. This project will develop “philosophy of ethnobiology” as an interdisciplinary meeting ground for addressing foundational methodological issues in cross-cultural negotiations of biological and ecological knowledge. As there has been almost no interaction between academic philosophy and ethnobiology, the project develops an equally ambitious and original program. It provides a framework for approaching cross-cultural collaborations despite deep philosophical differences and for expanding current philosophical debates through global and applied considerations. While I am trained as a philosopher of science, the project will develop an interdisciplinary research methodology that integrates philosophical analysis and empirical collaboration with three ethnobiological research teams in Brazil and Mexico. Furthermore, I have already shown the possibility of bringing these fields together in flagship journals of both philosophy of science and ethnobiology. The unique interdisciplinary methodology and published proofs of concept therefore clearly demonstrate the feasibility of developing “philosophy of ethnobiology” as a meeting ground between foundational and applied concerns of global challenges in the life sciences.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/851004
Start date: 01-02-2020
End date: 31-01-2025
Total budget - Public funding: 1 499 934,00 Euro - 1 499 934,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Indigenous and other local communities possess complex biological knowledge that is increasingly recognized in collaborative approaches in the agricultural, environmental, and health sciences. However, collaborations between local communities and academically trained scientists are commonly challenged by deep differences in epistemologies, ontologies, and value systems. For example, an Indigenous fisher may be an expert on a local marine ecosystem but rely on spiritual fishing norms and metaphysical assumptions that raise questions about compatibility with academic ecology. This project will develop “philosophy of ethnobiology” as an interdisciplinary meeting ground for addressing foundational methodological issues in cross-cultural negotiations of biological and ecological knowledge. As there has been almost no interaction between academic philosophy and ethnobiology, the project develops an equally ambitious and original program. It provides a framework for approaching cross-cultural collaborations despite deep philosophical differences and for expanding current philosophical debates through global and applied considerations. While I am trained as a philosopher of science, the project will develop an interdisciplinary research methodology that integrates philosophical analysis and empirical collaboration with three ethnobiological research teams in Brazil and Mexico. Furthermore, I have already shown the possibility of bringing these fields together in flagship journals of both philosophy of science and ethnobiology. The unique interdisciplinary methodology and published proofs of concept therefore clearly demonstrate the feasibility of developing “philosophy of ethnobiology” as a meeting ground between foundational and applied concerns of global challenges in the life sciences.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2019-STG

Update Date

27-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
ERC-2019
ERC-2019-STG