Print PageEcologists are showing increasing interest in traditional ecological knowledge. This interest can be explained by the levels of overlap that exist between various approaches to ecology and the ideas offered by traditional knowledge holders. Ecological theory itself accepts the idea that “everything is connected,” a basic idea of traditional knowledge. Social-ecological systems thinking and the associated ideas regarding resilience further extend the overlap by recognizing the roles humans play and the importance of complexity. Complexity creates surprise, which suggests that humans be humble in their assertions of the ability to predict. It also stresses the importance of the particular history of a place. Resilience theory has also emphasized the importance of social learning, which is related to the ideas of learning from practice prevalent in many traditional knowledge systems. Ecological economics emphasizes sustainability and equity as important values, and recommends placing limits on the extent of market incentives. Researchers in the field of “science studies” have suggested that the fact/value distinction is no longer viable, a distinction not common among traditional knowledge holders. They also adopt another view of traditional knowledge, its suspicion of generalizations: asserting the world is made up of local systems that vary significantly even in fundamentals.
Results/Conclusions
The paper lists the many precepts that some scientists have been willing to use. But few scientists are willing to accept some others, such as the idea that all nonhumans have consciousness, that reciprocity should govern human-prey relationships, or that humans become connected to their place. These additional views are connected to concepts of the sacred, which validates the title of Fikret Berkes’ book on traditional ecological knowledge, Sacred Ecology.
