Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Catherine Peck - Analysis Of The American Indian Agricultural Techniques And The Benefits Of Modifying The Modern Land Ethic (FRI)
As a follow-up to Aldo Leopold’s interpretation of “The Land Ethic” and the land use attitudes that German and Anglo-Saxon freemen perpetuated, I thought it only reasonable that the American Indian connection with their environment and eco-centric views that pervade universally across the diverse tribal beliefs in the magical tradition. At the center of their magical tradition is the creation story that connects the bounty of the earth with the first mortal death on this Earth, which gave rise to the rest of life through the soil itself. A close study of the techniques of the agricultural practices of the earliest North Americans reveals more efficient and organically sustainable practices that lay at the very heart of the agrarian culture of these first inhabitants. Hunting was an imperative tradition that supplied the peoples with their food and from the fur, clothing to protect themselves from the harsh winters. One of the most befuddling of European concepts to these peoples was what lay at the very heart of overseas thought; God furnished the world with everything of instrumental value to human that would provide for the foundations of a utilitarian society. In the eyes of the native peoples, they were only another part of creation that shared equal intrinsic value to the environment; the natural world was to be revered and thought of as a mother and its creation an epic saga of miracles that occurred because of the presence of the environment. Had this awe and respect for the Earth had been instilled within European mindsets, conflicts would not have arisen that have lead to the creation of the reservation system in the United States. Unable to live in an ideal Locke inspired existence, where social contracts are made and upheld, they constantly remain behind the veil of ignorance, contracting amongst themselves what ought to be the conventions of their society, able to lift the veil but not obtain the equal freedom intrinsically granted in each human life. The European based practice of agriculture is wasteful and inefficient and by not allowing American Indians practice their own land use ethic, we are constricting the opportunities available to them and don’t afford the opportunity for the American perspective to adopt aspects of both cultures to create a conjoined, peaceful existence in nature without altering its life giving essence.
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Aldo Leopold noted in his Land Ethic that when given the choice about how to treat the land, farmers will choose the cheapest and easiest methods that benefit themselves. So how would you propose to encourage American farmers to adopt American Indian land use ethics regardless of whether or not they are economically beneficial to the farmer.
ReplyDeleteHow does the concept of the allodium and allodial land right play in to how Europeans conceived land and the earth differently than how native people conceived it? Also, how does the role of religion effect the differences in perception, or is religion merely the reflection of ethics held? Could you make an argument regarding cultural relativism to support the Europeans?
ReplyDeleteAre you arguing with the basis that all Native American tribes share one common belief system? Because that isn't very accurate - each tribe is its own individual culture with separate and special traditions. Are you taking the differences between tribes into account for your argument, or are you creating a world in which all Native American beliefs are the same?
ReplyDeleteAre you only focusing on agriculture and farming? Would the practices used by Native Americans even work or be realistic in today's modern society? I think it would be beneficial for you to explain exactly what kind of farming practices you are speaking of, because, like Jessie said, each tribe had it's own beliefs and traditions.
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic! I guess my question would be: What would you say to a cultural relativist that says that the Native American agricultural techniques correspond to their culture, and the American corporation ways correspond to ours? How would you suggest that the Native American techniques are better than what we have now? And why would you suggest that it matters to have agricultural techniques that are ethically more right?
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting looking at the different cultures of farming. How would cultural Relativism apply to this issue? Is there a way of mixing the cultural farming beliefs into one and creating a process that is environmentally friendly to Gaia?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of agricultural techniques are you specifically talking about because I am unclear on that. Are you arguing that hunting is bad? Also, couldn't the Native Americans practice their agriculture and their own culture on their reservation?
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that native americans share a magical tradition where nature is important as a source for spirituality and even a guide. How can this deep appreciation of nature influence others that do not share the same land ethic if they were free to practice it? How can allowing Native Americans to practice their land ethic change the way others think and act?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the pros and cons of American farmers adopting American Indian land use ethics? Would it even be realistic in today's modern society? Are there a substitutes for a land ethic? What ethical obligation do we have towards the land and are they different or similar to those held by the Native Americans?
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