Chaos Theory In Native Science, By Gregory Cajete

The book Native Science written by Gregory Cajete has chapter one as part of an introductory chapter for the books foundation. More simply this means that to be able to understand Native Science Native’s outlook and perspective/perception of the world must be addressed. The Author first begins this process by breaking down and defining Native Science as a likeness of the metaphoric/creative mind from a Native’s holistic view. The author Cajete (2000), begins by changing the word science into the word knowledge for the phrase Native Science. By adopting this change it helps in forming a better understanding of what Native Science. Different tribal communities are given as examples later on in chapter one when story telling. While next is the …show more content…
The chaos theory can be seen on a micro-level and macro-level scale. The theories foundation is that there are things that cannot be predicted or controlled. Those things that can be controlled and predicted are only done so in a superficial manner. The butterfly effect is tied into this theory in that even small minute actions and choices can have a huge lasting impact in one’s natural reality. Sometimes it can be called chance but up until that point, it is an accumulation of actions and choices impacting that current reality. Additional to chaos theory is how everything is related somehow and connected in some way. Something small can have a large impact in a later …show more content…
Especially, when its listeners are of all ages. These stories also provide evidence that Natives were good observers. Native science noticed natural process and expressed many of them through metaphors. This made them appear to be childlike and behind in knowledge, however, Cajete (2000), notes that they were actually ahead of their time compared to western societies. Cajete compares how Native science and Western science both use research and gather data. Ancient concepts in Native science are being introduced today specifically in ecology and its philosophies and theories concerning sustainability and environmental stewardship. Cajete (2000) elaborates on cosmologies and how they attempt to understand what humanness is. Before religion, or social and political order. Natural democracy was the underlining of humanness in cosmologies. This connection to plants, animals, stones, water, and everything else in the universe made dominion over nature impossible. Therefore things that die are sent back to the earth to become something