Paradigms in the relationship between human beings and nature in the Andes

Abstract

The global development model: born within and fostered by a Eurocentric Western culture, and the environmental crisis, which reaches its greatest expression in climate change, profoundly affect the way of life and the cosmovision of the indigenous peoples of the planet (Ticehurst, Urgel, & Best, 2009; Marzo, 2010). Most of these are also at risk of cultural extinction. This reality also affects the Quechua populations in the Andes who despite their demographic extension, are on a path of cultural restructuring that among other things, involves the construction of new ways of conceiving nature and relating to it. Despite Nature being the common denominator for all human beings, it is not conceived nor understood in the same way by all cultures, with many variables that condition the vision and identification of this reality. One’s perception of Nature defines the conceptual construction, as well as the forms of use and exploitation of resources (Gudynas, 1999). This is also the case in the Andes where according to the dominant paradigm, Quechua, Aymara and Uru Indians foster a relationship of proximity and respect to Nature or, on the contrary, feel disconnected from this reality (Vargas, 2005).