Rudi Volti asserts the widely-held belief that technological development and rational thought are inextricably linked. He writes “…the progressive development of technology has itself been the product of a distinctive set of cultural values and mental processes that are characterized by a rational approach to the world and how it is to be controlled” (p.12). He goes on to say that “(t)echnological development is more than the random accumulation of tools, techniques, and organizational forms… (u)nderlying the process is a set of attitudes and orientations that are collectively described as “rational” (p. 12). And by “rational”, of course, Volti is referring to Western ways of knowing which assign priority to logic, objectivity, cause & effect, systematic empiricism, and universalism; in short, the scientific method.
But what are we to think about cultures which are decidedly non-rational in their worldview and yet have developed impressive inventories of technological artifacts and processes… as in the case of North American Indigenous populations and their dizzying array of tools, weapons and techniques upon which their very survival depended for over 10,000 years? Indigenous technologies have been the product of Indigenous ways of knowing, not Western rational thought. And to Volti’s credit, he offers a brief, yet compelling, critique of rationalism as a means of understanding the world and as a method for solving problems (see pp. 12-15).
Assignment Content Requirements:
For this assignment you must write a brief essay in which you discuss the similarities and differences between Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. You may wish to consider the following questions in the preparation of your essay:
How does Agrawal characterize/define western/scientific knowledge and/or western ways of knowing?
How does Agrawal characterize/define indigenous knowledge and/or indigenous ways of knowing?
How does Agrawal explain the recent surge in interest in indigenous knowledge?
Do you think it is important to incorporate indigenous knowledge into the design and implementation of technologies which have a disproportionate and direct effect on Aboriginal communities? Explain.
Also, you must incorporate Ian Sample’s article (see below) in a brief discussion of how “smart ice” technologies and techniques have utilized or reflect indigenous knowledge.
In the preparation of your essay, you must use the following 2 sources only
Agrawal, Arun. “Dismantling the Divide between Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge”Development and Change 26(3) pp. 413-27
http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.ezproxy.lakeheadu.ca/pdf/0012155x/v26i0003/413_dtdbiask.xml
Sample, Ian. “How ‘smart ice’ is helping to save lives on Canada’s thinning sea ice” The Guardian (Jan. 02, 2018)
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/02/how-smart-ice-is-helping-to-save-lives-on-canada-thinning-sea-ice (if link doesn’t work, copy and paste into browser)
Assignment Format Requirements:
Your essay must be 3-4 pages in length (not including your title page and References page). You must use 12pt Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and 1” margins. You must provide a separate title page and References page. You must limit your sources to the above 2 articles.
Two links are provided above ( first link won’t open so I provide what is on the first link on attachment below).
Second link is a website just click on it or copy it to browse .
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