4.7 Other Ways of Knowing about the Universe

Cultural Perspectives on the Universe

The vast depths of space have been a source of inspiration throughout history and around the world. Writers created stories to explain the unexplainable. The beauty in the skies; the stars, eclipses, and the northern lights inspired artists. Farmers, hunters, gatherers, and explorers used the sky to guide their travels, predict changes in weather, and to measure the length of the day.

Cultures around the world have influenced our current understanding of the universe. Western science deals mainly with the physical realm of the world. Other cultures have contributed to this body of knowledge about the physical world, as well as adding perspectives from other realms.

In this unit historical information, different cultural perspectives, and a variety of stories and tales will enhance scientific concepts. You will explore the stories and traditions of aboriginal peoples that relate to space. There is a rich diversity among the stories and traditions of aboriginal peoples, which will only be touched on here. That means there is lots of room for you to explore the topic further on your own. In the 'Earth Science Projects' section of this module there is a project option to investigate and compare different theories about the beginning of the Universe.