Pacific indigenous psychologies - starting points

Abstract

Psychology is a modern academic discipline and practice, far younger than that of hermeneutics and infinitely junior to the traditions and customary practices that have served the peoples of the Pacific for eons. So why should a discipline such as psychology be given space and attention in the reshaping of the Pacific? What is its relationship to hermeneutics? How might they integrate, learn from each other, and be of service to us here in the Pacific? And what baggage might attach to such a synergy? In this chapter I position the focus of my answers to these questions within the broader field of indigenous psychology so as to examine the contribution psychology might make to reshaping the Pacific, remaining ever conscious and critical of its promises, foundational values and biases.