From Earth Ethics Australia Vol.1 (AELA, 2019), pp.1-6. Mary Graham is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and a member of the Kombumerri Peoples. There are two basic precepts of Aboriginal law: the land is the source of the law, and you are not alone. In Aboriginal law, the land is a sacred entity, not property or real estate; it is the great mother of all humanity and is the source of life and law. The two most important kinds of relationship in life are, firstly, those between land and people and, secondly, those amongst people themselves, the second always being contingent upon the first. There are four essential attributes to the relationist ethos: a custodial ethic, locality, autonomy and balance. Ethics only come from having empathy and from looking after something outside ourselves. If there were an Aboriginal equivalent to Descartes' 'I think, therefore I am', it would be: 'I am located, therefore I am.'
A Relationist Ethos: Aboriginal Law and Ethics
From Earth Ethics Australia Vol.1 (AELA, 2019), pp.1-6. Mary Graham is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and a member of the Kombumerri Peoples. There are two basic precepts of Aboriginal law: the land is the source of the law, and you are not alone. In Aboriginal law, the land is a sacred entity, not property or real estate; it is the great mother of all humanity and is the source of life and law. The two most important kinds of relationship in life are, firstly, those between land and people and, secondly, those amongst people themselves, the second always being contingent upon the first. There are four essential attributes to the relationist ethos: a custodial ethic, locality, autonomy and balance. Ethics only come from having empathy and from looking after something outside ourselves. If there were an Aboriginal equivalent to Descartes' 'I think, therefore I am', it would be: 'I am located, therefore I am.'
Related resources
Hosting and facilitating a Climate café listening circle (CCLC) training
Do you want to help build resilience in your community? Climate Cafe LIstening Circle (CCLC) Training builds the confidence, skills, and peer community to facilitate your own circles. Delivered as a structured programme over three sessions in closed cohorts, with ongoing supervision and support afterwards.
Hosting and facilitating a Climate café listening circle (CCLC) training
Do you want to help build resilience in your community? Climate Cafe LIstening Circle (CCLC) Training builds the confidence, skills, and peer community to facilitate your own circles. Delivered as a structured programme over three sessions in closed cohorts, with ongoing supervision and support afterwards.
Hosting and facilitating a Climate café listening circle (CCLC) training
Do you want to help build resilience in your community? Climate Cafe LIstening Circle (CCLC) Training builds the confidence, skills, and peer community to facilitate your own circles. Delivered as a structured programme over three sessions in closed cohorts, with ongoing supervision and support afterwards.
Explore more resources
Browse the full Research and Resources library, more articles, papers, podcasts, and reading lists.
Join the community
CPA is built collaboratively, by members for members. If this work resonates, come and join us.
.jpg)
