Epistemology, Ideology, and Literature: Radical Constructivism, Decolonial Studies, and Native American Literature
Keywords:
literature and ideology, epistemology, radical constructivism, decolonial studies, Native American literature, Silko, Leslie Marmon, Alexie, Sherman, Momaday, N. ScottAbstract
The article focuses on the relations between ideology and epistemology, and their reflections in literature. It starts from the theories of radical constructivism, especially the work of Heinz von Foerster and decolonial studies as introduced by Walter Mignolo and Santiago Castro-Gómez, to continue with the discussion of selected excerpts from Native American literature and criticism, as they deal explicitly with this topic. While Foerster assumed the free choice of epistemology, decolonial studies discern that in certain historical circumstances this freedom is limited by ideologies. The conclusion drawn from both theories is that the epistemology of the excluded observer enables and legitimizes capitalism and colonialism, which, once established, force this epistemology upon the exploited. The epistemology of an included observer/producer, as it shows up in the selected literary texts, can be read as a form of resistance against the hegemonial epistemology.References
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