Abstract

This review holds that is at issue in this text, one of the first of its kind, is whether the editor’s “participatory” theory of epistemic validation for transformative states of consciousness can survive a narrative approach to exploring conscious experience. The criteria for conscious experience assumed in this text, is having a situated ethnocultural consciousness about related “states” or “moments” of experience, that can be understood by applying crosscultural understandings of the nature of the “self.” This book presents papers about Indigenist worldviews. From nine nonindigenist scholars, included are four anthropologists, two philosophers, a sociologist, and a psychologist. Also presented are the work of two indigenist scholars: a specialist in International Relations (Indigenist to Mexico); and a joint paper from two New Zealand biologists (one of Pakeha-European and Maori-Tainui descent). There are no cross-disciplinary projects. As a philosopher of American Indian descent, I found it most interesting to note the different metaphysical frameworks used by Indigenous and nonindigenous authors. Because of this difference, one can glean from the anthology valuable insights about philosophical frameworks in which self-reflective experiential information maintains metaphysical and epistemological cultural boundaries.The review concludes "This is a book to be read by philosophers interested in the anthropology of consciousness. Philosophers working in American Indian philosophy should read it with a critical eye, and some of the better articles, like Ryser’s, will be well worth the read."