Socionature, indigenous people and Geography: delusions or considerations

Abstract

The text addresses the concept of socionature, studied in the Postgraduate Program in Geography at the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Socionature explores the interdependence between society and nature, challenging the dualistic view about these domains, arguing that both are intrinsically intertwined and co-evolve. The methodology involves a brief theoretical review associated with field experience, analyzing from bibliography how different philosophical perspectives shape our understanding of this complex relationship. This reflection includes from the Aristotelian view of nature as self-generating and its implications for technique and potency, to the Kantian critique of the sublime and the role of reason in our perception of nature. Contemporary authors are also discussed to address the social production of nature and the interdependence between humans and technologies, highlighting how social and political relations shape our interaction with the environment. The text explores the critique of the binary opposition between nature and technology, suggesting that these boundaries are increasingly fluid. The analysis includes the experience of the Kaingang indigenous people in urban context, highlighting how their worldview goes beyond the traditional dichotomy between nature and society, offering a rich perspective on cultural and environmental integration, based on a period of experience in a community located in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Finally, the text suggests an interdisciplinary and decolonial approach to geography to better understand the complex relationships between nature, society and the use of spaces, seeking to promote an inclusive and critical understanding of the dynamics between natural and built environments, valuing diverse epistemologies and challenging hegemonic narratives.