https://archive.org/details/blackfootphysics0000peat_p2o1
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Contents
Acknowledgement
Author to Reader: A Different Worldview
1 Spirits of Renewal
2 At the Sun Dance: When Paradigms Collide
3 Coming-to-Knowing
4 Stories of Origin
5 The Coming of Disease
6 The Medicine Ways
7 Sacred Mathematics
8 Time, Number, and the Mayans
9 Language: The Sacred Vibrations
10 Indigenous Science
11 Realities
12 Conclusions: Turning the Circle
Afterword
Bibliography
Index
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F. David PeatF. David Peat
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Blackfoot Physics: A Journey into the Native American Worldview Kindle Edition
by F. David Peat (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (73)
"The modern version of The Tao of Physics. . . We gain tantalizing glimpses of an elusive alternative to the thing we know as science. . . . Above all, Peat's book is an eloquent plea for a fair go for the modes of enquiry of other cultures." --New Scientist
One summer in the 1980s, theoretical physicist F. David Peat went to a Blackfoot Sun Dance ceremony. Having spent all of his life steeped in and influenced by linear Western science, he was entranced by the Native American worldview and, through dialogue circles between scientists and native elders, he began to explore it in greater depth.
Blackfoot Physics is the account of his discoveries. In an edifying synthesis of anthropology, history, metaphysics, cosmology, and quantum theory, Peat compares the medicines, the myths, the languages—the entire perceptions of reality of the Western and indigenous peoples. What becomes apparent is the amazing resemblance between indigenous teachings and some of the insights that are emerging from modern science, a congruence that is as enlightening about the physical universe as it is about the circular evolution of humanity’s understanding. Through Peat’s insightful observations, he extends our understanding of ourselves, our understanding of the universe, and how the two intersect in a meaningful vision of human life in relation to a greater reality.
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Print length
347 pages
Language
English
Blackfoot Physics: A Journey into the Native American Worldview 1994
F. David Peat
4.19
187 ratings29 reviews
One summer in the 1980s, theoretical physicist F. David Peat went to a Blackfoot Sun Dance ceremony. Having spent all of his life steeped in and influenced by linear Western science, he was entranced by the Native American worldview and, through dialogue circles between scientists and native elders, he began to explore it in greater depth. Blackfoot Physics is the account of his discoveries. In an edifying synthesis of anthropology, history, metaphysics, cosmology, and quantum theory, Peat compares the medicines, the myths, the languages--the entire perceptions of reality of the Western and indigenous peoples. What becomes apparent is the amazing resemblance between indigenous teachings and some of the insights that are emerging from modern science, a congruence that is as enlightening about the physical universe as it is about the circular evolution of humanity's understanding. Through Peat's insightful observations, he extends our understanding of ourselves, our understanding of the universe, and how the two intersect in a meaningful vision of human life in relation to a greater reality.
GenresNonfictionPhilosophySciencePhysicsAnthropologyIndigenousNative American
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352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
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About the author
F. David Peat45 books39 followers
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He has worked actively as a theoretical physicist in England and Canada.
But Peat's interests expanded to include psychology, particularly that of Carl Jung, art and general aspects of culture, including that of Native America. Peat is the author of many books including a biography of David Bohm, with whom Peat collaborated, books on quantum theory and chaos theory, as well as a study of Synchronicity. Since moving to the village of Pari in Italy, Peat has created the Pari Center for New Learning.
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Tami
Author 38 books85 followers
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April 15, 2008
When I found this book, as an archaeologist who works primarily with Plains First Nations, I was thrilled that someone had written an in-depth book about the worldview of the Blackfoot. Through my own experiences, I have gained some outsider insight into the wealth of Blackfoot culture and was eager to learn more.
Unfortunately, the title Blackfoot Physics is a misnomer. Though the author describes his experiences while waiting for the Sun Dance to begin in the first few chapters, most of the book discusses various traditional belief systems and world views ranging from various North America First Nations to various cultures, past and present, around the world. Much of this material is either very general in nature or is intended for those without any prior knowledge of these traditions, basically illustrating the point that all world views have value.
Although I thought that the author did a very good job of illustrating that other cultures have different (and just as valid) ways of viewing the world, I am concerned that people will believe that all aboriginal world views are the same. This erroneous perception could further strengthen the common "primitive societies" stereotypes that the author was trying to break down.
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Gina
Author 5 books31 followers
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February 15, 2019
Really interesting.
It isn't so much about physics that you will have a hard time keeping up if you are not well-versed, though a familiarity with the work of David Bohm would make it more meaningful.
I found the parts on language particularly interesting, as well as some things on brushes with inspiration for different artistic people (an awkward way of phrasing that, but I don't know what else to call it). Also, I really have to agree with some points on Chapter 5, where much of the improvements in health are not so much about medicine as sanitation.
I was then also disappointed when in the next chapter Peat lends credibility to homeopathy and toward the end when he clearly misunderstands political correctness (typical) but also the need for legislating human rights (much less common). He does not stick the landing.
That would probably knock him down to three stars, but I am letting him have the fourth because while I can certainly imagine how there could be better books on this topic, I am not aware of any, and so this felt new and fresh.
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Sunpreet
11 reviews2 followers
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April 16, 2018
A mode of thinking I have never encountered before and challenged a lot of uncritical beliefs I've held.
philosophy science societal-commentary
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Rob Gifford
134 reviews
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ReadNovember 1, 2024
as an overview of various indigenous practices and beliefs it’s frequently fascinating if necessarily incomplete; Peat’s survey is often wide rather than deep, emphasizing trends and commonalities that perhaps occasionally flatten a diverse array of cultures into different faces of the same pattern. as an attempt to reconcile two different modes of understanding the world, it’s intriguing if half-formed, with Peat often shirking any real attempt to deal with the places that western and native thought simply contradict each other through some vague hand-waving about embracing unknowns. as a plea for a new approach to human civilization, it is very earnest, and I can’t help but genuinely wish Peat the best.
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Fanny Fae
53 reviews
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March 28, 2020
While some may gripe that this book was not written by someone who was himself Indigenous, author David Peat was encouraged by several Indigenous scientists he interacted with to write and share his perspective.
As someone who has indigenous ancestry, I have to say I definitely appreciate the care and respect that Peat made apparent throughout the book. He talks reverently and with respect, not pretending to have some sort of arrogant belief to know the ways of the various Indigenous Nations.
Let's be honest, Peat *asked* the indigenous folks and they gave their perspective. Thenhe wrote as fully and as completely as the information was presented to him. In my view, I find that a welcome change over the scores of non-Indian academics who like to pretend they know better than Indians themselves about what's what. While some NDN folks can get miffed that another non-NDN person wrote a book about the various customs and ways, there is something to be said for approaching it with the dignity and respect that David Peat has done in this book.
Would that more authors would follow his example.
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Katie Lynn
613 reviews41 followers
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January 2, 2015
There were a number of editing errors; enough that it was distracting.
I appreciate what the author was trying to do, but I got a little tired of him TELLING me what he was trying to facilitate for his readers other than just getting down and doing it.
While I wouldn't recommend it necessarily, there were definitely some great nuggets in these pages.
Also, not sure why it's called BLACKFOOT physics considering it was about many, many indigenous and aboriginal nations and tribes.
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Alexa Cascade
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November 15, 2007
Explores Native American science and culture, and compares them to Western science and culture. Completely different viewpoint. Everyone should read this book.
alternate-realities required-reading
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Patricia
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March 2, 2020
Great book, perfect to have as a reference book in a private or public library. I love learning about Indigenous cultures of the Americas, and throughout the world.
Love it.
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Sam Dotson
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October 15, 2021
TL;DR I'm not sure who the intended audience for this book was so it's hard to recommend. Three stars.
I bought this book immediately after reading Native Science: Natural Laws of Interdependence by Gregory Cajete because, while I found Cajete's book intriguing and enlightening, he made some rather egregious comments about quantum physics and chaos theory. He supported those comments by citing Peat's book (which was originally printed under a different title Lighting the Seventh Fire ). Since Peat was a theoretical physicist, I figured he could articulate Cajete's interpretations of physics better. I am disappointed to report that Cajete's retelling of these ideas were a misunderstanding of Peat's writing. For example, Cajete wrote "in a world of chaos, anything is possible," and (paraphrased) "electrons are constantly exchanging energies and transforming into different kinds of atoms." Both are strictly untrue and neither of those statements were made anywhere by Peat. Further disappointment however, was that every mention of quantum mechanics felt like a total non-sequitor. For example, in the chapter on medicine and healing, Peat describes how Indigenous healers will dilute a solution until it's essentially pure water, followed by precise tapping, to "write into" the structure of the water molecules. How? Why, quantum mechanics of course! Peat's use of chaos theory and his speculations about its connection to Indigenous practices are a little better, but not by much. He talks about chaos theory in a rather abstract way, but commits the same sins as many popular science writers by conflating "chaos" with "randomness." Chaotic systems are fully deterministic -- the problem is we can't perfectly know the initial conditions, so eventually our predictions will deviate from the true trajectory. For this reason, chaos is "pseudo-random" (i.e. random enough) for humans. A truly random system would be nuclear decay. A set of equations describing a dynamic system can also display no chaotic behavior at all for certain parameter values!
Much of the book is devoted to metaphysics , a philosophy more than a science. Understanding that any comments about quantum mechanics are not indications of Indigenous civilizations anticipating quantum mechanics and wave-particle duality, but are a modern application of Indigenous thought to interpreting the strangeness of quantum mechanics, alleviates some of the frustration that may arise if you are particularly sensitive to anything that sounds "woo woo" (which I think I am). Without being mentioned, these interpretations remind me of Carlo Rovelli's "relational interpretation of quantum mechanics" which emphasizes relationships among particles and fields, as Indigenous science does. However, I would have liked a stronger articulation of how Indigenous science and language can help us comprehend quantum mechanics, but there is none to be found.
Besides this, there some seeming inconsistencies in the author's argument. In one place disparaging writing systems on the whole ("westerners write to forget") and in another describing the sophistication of another society's writing system, allowing complex astronomical calculations. This is because Indigenous civilizations were numerous and varied! But this also means that it can't be used to criticize Western forms of knowledge preservation and sharing.
What was the point of this book? To initiate dialogue between Indigenous People and Western Scientists. The thesis was simply that all human societies developed their own methods of knowledge production and all are equally valid. How can they all be equally valid? Because they ask different questions . There were some good parts to the book. I liked the author's discussion about the debate of how human's populated the Americas. There were also some interesting stories about the detailed astronomical calculations and observations the Mayans made (they knew the length of a year down to a fraction, 365.24 days!). While those facts are always welcome, I didn't feel like I gained a significantly new perspective from this book, since I already respect the demonstrable power of Indigenous science. But I think the author himself was also frustrated at the limitations to his own understanding of Indigenous science and culture. This was a book that I covered with notes and annotations, but ultimately felt mediocre.
philosophy
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Sarah Burnett
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June 30, 2022
want to say thank you to my native american literature professor for recommending this one :) it's crazy good
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