The Metaphysics of Modern Existence

by Daniel R Wildcat (Foreword), Daniel R. Wildcat (Foreword), David E. Wilkins (Afterword)

Vine Deloria Jr., named one of the most influential religious thinkers in the world by Time , shares a framework for a new vision of reality. Bridging science and religion to form an integrated idea of the world, while recognizing the importance of tribal wisdom, The Metaphysics of Modern Existence delivers a revolutionary view of our future and our world. David E. Wilkins holds the McKnight Presidential Professorship in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. Daniel R. Wildcat is the director of the American Indian studies program and the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Genres: Philosophy, Indigenous, Nonfiction, History, Ecology, Spirituality, Environment

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Zach Irvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. On one hand, it was kind of like a topography of various academic fields during the 1970s. On the other hand Deloria makes an argument for the consolidation of those various fields of knowledge into a unified understanding of reality. Obviously, Deloria is incredibly knowledgeable and well read. He makes salient points about the tendency of western academics to have a narrow and exclusionary view that tends to discredit anything that doesn’t fit into their systems. He also argues that those same academics should give more credence and thought to ancient belief systems and how they might correlate to aspects of reality that modern science is only now beginning to understand. There were times when it seemed as though he was approaching complex scientific matters from the perspective of someone who does not participate regularly in that field, but I admire his reach in the book.

Ultimately, my favorite chapter dealt with the legal standing of nature and trees. That is probably what I will look into next, since I have decided to try and do more reading on nature this year. I might also look into Deloria’s other books because I’m interested in Native American religious beliefs and he seems to be the expert on that subject.

[thebookishqueer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Pretty dense, but an important read for any person/scholar interested in Indigenous knowledge. It makes you realise how much you don't know, especially if you're a settler scholar like myself.

[Michael]

check out my blog (homersmuse.com) where I am putting thoughts from this book each day this week...