American Indian thought : philosophical essays /

This volume of new essays by American Indian scholars treats a variety of contributions of American Indian traditions to philosophical, religious, social, and political issues. There are no selections from, and not much mention of, past figures like Chief Joseph or Black Elk. The focus is on contemporary issues, although some authors rehearse past injustices while revealing cultural chasms between American Indian and Anglo-American thought. Some authors also find common ground between these traditions; others see in the American Indian attitude toward knowledge, human nature, ecology, or beauty a way to enhance some facet of Western thought. Most of the authors are philosophically trained; Western philosophy is the only tradition that serves as a contrast. Provocative chapter titles include "A Philosophy of Native Science," "On Authenticity," "Ontology of Identity and Interstitial Being," "Ethics: The We and the I," "Ethics from an Artist's Point of View," "Oral Traditions and the Politics of (Mis)recognition," "Repatriation: Religious Freedom, Equal Opportunity, and Institutional Racism," and "On Philosophical Discourse: Some Intercultural Musings." This unique resource will be useful for American Indian, multiculturalism, and philosophy courses at the advanced level. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. J. R. Shook Oklahoma State University