PARADOX AND TRANSFORMATION

Nancy C. Maryboy (University of Washington, School of Environmental and Forestry Sciences Indigenous Education Institute)
David H. Begay (University of New Mexico, School of Pharmacy Indigenous Education Institute & Faculty, Indigenous Education Institute)
Lee Nichol (University of New Mexico, School of Pharmacy Indigenous Education Institute & Faculty, Indigenous Education Institute)

International Journal of Applied Science and Sustainable Development (IJASSD)
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2020): International Journal of Applied Science and Sustainable Development (IJASSD)

The English term “paradox” is suggestive of a particular Indigenous value of perceiving and understanding in terms of balancing opposites. Paradox thinking points to a series of concepts central to traditional Navajo epistemology and ontology: complementarity, dynamic movement, cyclical balance, and transformation. This matrix of traditional wisdom is positioned in relation to western empiricism – especially the latter’s expression as problem-solving and critical thinking methodologies. It is suggested that one aspect of transformation involves re-visioning the relationship between these two cognitive styles.