Indigenous Wisdom, Capital, Technology and Education

• Published in: New Zealand journal of educational studies 2020-11, Vol.55 (2), p.405-422
• Main Author: Ruth, Damian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capitalism and education; Cultural Differences; Education; Ethnophilosophy; Indigenous Knowledge; Social Systems; Technology; Technology Uses in Education; World Views
• ISSN: 0028-8276; 2199-4714
• DOI: 10.1007/s40841-020-00181-1

This article contrasts specific aspects of indigenous world views and wisdom on the one hand with specific themes in capitalism, colonisation, corporate interests, technology and education, on the other and argues that there is a fundamental clash of values between them. There is no assumption of a homogenous indigenous wisdom and no claim is made about novel insight into capitalism, colonisation, corporate interests and technology and education. The contribution is in tracing lines of thought in all of them and, by juxtaposing them in the context of a contemporary upsurge in digital/online/blended learning with particular attention to the global techno-corporation, to expose a fundamental clash of values that deserves more thorough scrutiny than it is getting. The paper does not present a linear argument, but rather a woven tapestry of themes. The conclusion is that education would be better served by the insights of indigenous wisdom and a more critical and tempered view of capitalism and technology.