Ways of Knowing: Crossing Species Boundaries

Abstract

Empirical social science research is inevitably highly dependent on verbal communication. Observation, ethnographic and visual methods do of course go beyond words (or meanings derived and shared solely through language) but talking (or words)remains central to communicating meaning. In this paper I want to explore ways of knowing that, while not fully independent of talk, discourse and narrative, nonetheless form a bodily way of knowing. Thinking about other ways of knowing is a challenge, but it is important that there is space to appreciate the different ways in which people come to know things. So in this paper I shall give consideration to acquiring knowledge across species boundaries using the example of human interaction with horses. In this realm it is vital to speak through the body and to interpret through parts of the body not usually called upon in the research process. In this way I will also explore knowledge claims which are not usually regarded as legitimate but which may nonetheless offer insights more broadly into ways of knowing.