Residual Thinking

Starting with the notion of geo-epistemology we developed the perspective of reversal thinking, that is, a way to face the colonialism upon which the notion of knowledge has been constructed within the Western domain. We believe that all subjects and/or matters should be considered in an epistemological way.

There is a scarce possibility that a non-epistemological approach will be effective within the Western paradigm of thinking, specially when referring to peripheral matters and/or subjects. The only practical possibility to negotiate with the Western notion of knowledge, science and technology is approaching the local situation and/or environment from an epistemological/conceptual point of view.

What interest us in relation to thinking is not the 'difference' or any sort of 'minority' but the residual elements, all that have been abandon because understood as trash, because considered as useless or nor relevant. Seeking into this residual areas and/or matters is how we believe we are able to approach and produce figurative conceptions/perspectives about our local world and about how it functions in relation to individuals and knowledge.

Expanding Areas

Thinking on/within the borders

Although there is a non resolved institutional and epistemic conflict within his approach, the works of Walter Mignolo remain, as a general overview, one of the most interesting developements regarding Latin America in recent years. The Idea of Latin America (1995) and Global History/Local Design (2000) covers all the main epistemic issues connected with the way we consider Latin America today and the way under which, as individuals, we are forced to negotiate in the market and within academia. For more info see Mignolo’s website at www.waltermignolo.com.

The Residual/Disposal Project

As a consequence of the original project of ‘residual thinking’ we are exploring at the moment the notion of ‘basura’ (rubbish, disposal, etc.) in connection with cultural and language evolution. Our starting hypothesis is that it exist, at the core of the peripheral and colonial culture, a very important place assigned to the idea/notion of ‘basura’. Or, in short, that the notion/idea of ‘basura’ plays a relevant role in the determination and evolution of concepts, language and, therefore, in the imaginary construction of individuals and societies.