COPERNICUS IN THE AMAZON: ONTOLOGICAL TURNINGS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AMERINDIAN ETHNOLOGIES

The ontological turn in anthropological theory is examined through three interconnected approaches. First, the academic success of Amerindian ontologies is situated within debates on the political consequences of the anthropocene. Second, an archaeology of the concept of perspectivism shows that Amerindian ethnology has long pursued Copernican turnings, from Montaigne onward. Finally, the article argues for a return to aesthetics and poetics as key domains for exploring how different ontologies teach us to see the world differently. Understanding multiple versions of Amerindian relational ontologies requires perceiving the relational character of the aesthetics they reveal, as illustrated by Huni Kuin (Cashinahua) aesthetics in ayahuasca song.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract In this article I explore the ontological turn in anthropological theory through three interconnected approaches. First, I situate the academic success of Amerindian ontologies in the context of recent debates on the urgency of addressing the political consequences of the anthropocene. Secondly, I undertake an archaeology of the concept of perspectivism as a central stage of the ontological turn, showing how the sub-discipline of Amerindian ethnology has always had a vocation for Copernican turnings, from the time of Montaigne until today. In conclusion, I argue for a return to aesthetics and poetics as the quintessential domains for exploring how different ontologies can teach us to look at the world differently. To understand the multiple versions of Amerindian relational ontologies we have to be able to perceive the relational character of the aesthetics they reveal. The argument is sustained by a short presentation of Huni Kuin (Cashinahua) aesthetics as revealed in huni meka, ayahuasca song.