Science and Traditional Knowledge in the Amazon: Pathways for Epistemic Dialogue and Science Communication

Abstract

This article aims to analyze, through a bibliographic review, the possibilities and challenges of dialogue between Western scientific knowledge and the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Amazonian communities, discussing its potential for science communication and for valuing epistemic diversity in Brazil. This is a qualitative study, of a bibliographic and documentary nature, based on specialized literature on Southern epistemologies, ethnoscience, and science communication, as well as on recent institutional documents. The results indicate that collaborative initiatives between Indigenous and non-Indigenous scientists, such as the joint publication of research on Amazonian conservation in international journals, demonstrate the legitimacy and complementarity of traditional knowledge in relation to Western scientific knowledge. It is observed, however, that institutional, linguistic, and academic-recognition barriers still hinder the full incorporation of this knowledge into formal processes of science production and communication. The discussion indicates that building spaces for symmetrical dialogue, training Indigenous researchers, and strengthening science communication practices sensitive to cultural diversity are central paths to overcoming these barriers. It is concluded that valuing epistemic diversity broadens the repertoire of solutions to socio-environmental challenges in the Amazon and strengthens Brazilian science's commitment to a more plural and democratic construction of knowledge.