A Tribute to Carlos Lenkersdorf

Philosophy in the Key of Tojolabal

Abstract

The inclusion of indigenous thought in the philosophical tradition is an issue that has remained largely excluded throughout our history, or at least been little discussed. Amongst those who have tried to fill this gap we may include Carlos Lenkersdorf who, after residing among the Tojolabales for over 20 years, presents a vision that incorporates some of the concerns that have formed part of the subject matter of philosophy (especially western) from an indigenous perspective. At the same time, it uncovers a mirror that reflects certain concepts that western philosophy has examined only superficially, such as (holistic) intersubjectivity, the us, and listening, to name just a few. This essay first presents some central ideas of philosophizing in a Tojolabal fashion that revolve around the concept of the us, before moving on to show how this structure of thought is underlain with a logic based on duality, opposed to the dualistic logic that is so deeply entrenched in the West.