Might Diversity also be Ontological? Considering Heidegger, Spinoza and Indigeneity in Educative Practice

By considering the work and words of some Anishinaabe Elders, Heidegger, and Spinoza we argue that these point at another state of being, a different ontological position, from the one most broadly expressed in modern western culture and in its schools. We call this state attentive receptivity. Whil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Encounters in Theory and History of Education
Main Authors: Beeman, Chris, Blenkinsop, Sean
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Queen’s University 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/encounters/article/view/648
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Summary:By considering the work and words of some Anishinaabe Elders, Heidegger, and Spinoza we argue that these point at another state of being, a different ontological position, from the one most broadly expressed in modern western culture and in its schools. We call this state attentive receptivity. While leaving the door open for still other states of being, we sketch in some key conditions and qualities including its interdependence with the more-than-human world. We argue that the condition of attentive receptivity can be seen as a different ontological position because of fundamental differences in what is understood and enacted as self, place, community, and the environment. We also think that accompanying arguments for different ways of knowing imply a different way of being. Through this reflexively coupled loop of ontology and epistemology we end by suggesting that education, if it is serious about diversity, would do well to consider both ontology and epistemology in creating a truly diverse education. Nosotros defendemos que las palabras y trabajos realizados por los ancianos "Augama Anishinaabe" suponen otra forma del ser, una posición ontológica distinta de la habitualmente expresada en la cultura occidental moderna y sus escuelas. Proponemos llamar a este estado "receptividad atenta". Para fundamentar esta expresión recurrimos a autores como Spinoza y Heidegger. Los principales rasgos de esta "receptividad atenta" Incluyen la interdependencia con el mundo no humano. La "receptividad atenta" puede ser vista como un ontología alternativa, debido a las diferencias fundamentales en torno al lugar que juegan en ella la comunidad y el medioambiente. Igualmente creemos que las diferentes formas de conocimiento existentes también apuntan a una diferente forma de ser. A través de este bucle compuesto de reflexiones ontológicas y epistemológicas, sugerimos que si las instituciones educativas desean abordar seriamente las cuestiones de la diversidad, deberían incluir en los nuevos enfoques educativos asuntos ...