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Nature Pluralism: Consequences of the Ontological Turn in Anthropology for Western Rationality.

Project description

Animist ontologies for a pluralistic concept of nature

The Western concept of nature, characterised by the separation of nature and culture and the belief in human superiority over nature, may not be universally held. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PlONat project will develop a pluralistic concept of nature that embraces alternative ontologies from anthropological research worldwide. By analysing animist ontologies, such as those of the Achuar and Wixárika, it will highlight the non-universal aspects of the Western concept of nature and challenge its underlying assumptions. The project will introduce a new philosophical method that respects Indigenous perspectives as valid metaphysical viewpoints, independent of Western philosophy. It will construct a more inclusive understanding of reality through diverse ontological perspectives.

Objective

The Nature Pluralism (PlONat) project seeks to contribute to a transformation of the Western concept of nature by philosophically engaging with the Ontological Turn in Anthropology. It aims to challenge long-standing assumptions about nature —such as its uniformity, universality and separation from culture— by exploring anthropological debates about ontology from the past two decades, integrating their hypotheses, frameworks, and findings into philosophical discourse. The primary goal is to develop a pluralist concept of nature that accommodates alternative ontologies described by anthropologists worldwide. Building on a deconstructive analysis of the onto-anthropological literature that includes the study of two extensively researched animist ontologies from the Americas (Achuar and Wixárika), PlONat will uncover the non-universal aspect of the Western concept of nature and challenge the foundational assumptions of its naturalist ontology. To achieve this, PlONat will pioneer a new method of philosophical inquiry: instead of conforming indigenous perspectives to existing Western representations of reality and knowledge, it will treat these perspectives as fully valid metaphysical viewpoints, not producible by Western philosophy nor obtainable through other means. This approach will enable the construction of a pluralist concept of nature, supporting its hypothesis that a diversity of ontological perspectives can offer a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of reality.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA CA' FOSCARI VENEZIA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 193 643,28
Address
DORSODURO 3246
30123 VENEZIA
Italy

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Region
Nord-Est Veneto Venezia
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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