La praxis etnofenomenológica

A methodological proposal called ethnofenomenological praxis integrates cognitive science with anthropology, ethnobotany, and radical participation to study cognition as a diffuse, permeable phenomenon beyond neural or electronic processing. The approach emphasizes direct experiential exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness, arguing that understanding cognition requires a phenomenological base. Through literature analysis and discussion, the article presents a radical empiricism grounded in such exploration and calls for a community of practice to generate a new symbolic and relational framework for studying consciousness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article presents a methodological proposal within the field of cognitive sciences, grounded in the appropriation of approaches and research tools from anthropology. This approach, termed ethnofenomenological praxis, aims to enable an epistemological and ontological openness in cognitive scientists through the integration of elements taken from cognitive anthropology, ethnobotany, and radical participation, while also considering a direct experiential approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness. Cognition is presented as a ubiquitous, diffuse, and permeable phenomenon that extends beyond mere information processing in electronic circuits or neural substrates. The experiential dimension of cognition is also explored, arguing that its understanding is inaccessible without a phenomenological base praxis. Through a comprehensive analysis of the literature, followed by a discussion, the theoretical and methodological basis of a radical empiricism characterized by the direct exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness is presented. Additionally, the necessity of forming a community of practice and knowledge production within the framework of ethnofenomenological praxis is proposed, capable of generating a new culture, namely, a new symbolic and relational framework, concerning the study of consciousness.