Moral Dilemma Case Review in Sociology Studies: Tukano Indians

This report examines the moral dilemmas associated with integrating isolated communities into modern society, using the Tukano Indians of the Colombian Northwest Amazon as a case study. It explores the application of ethnographic rationale, the importance of considering cultural beliefs and religious practices, and the impact of global influences. The report highlights the need to balance integration with the preservation of cultural heritage, including the Tukano's shamanistic traditions and resource management practices. It emphasizes the ethical considerations of respecting indigenous religions, referencing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and proposes integrated community development models that prioritize sustainability and protect endangered communities. The study concludes with recommendations for the Columbian government to safeguard the cultural and religious principles of the Tukano Indians while fostering their integration into modern society, considering their unique heritage and the importance of their wisdom in resource management and conservation.

Running Head: Moral Dilemma case Review in Sociology studies
Title: Moral Dilemma Case Review in Sociology studies
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Date of Submission: 10/06/2019
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The report is presented as part of the requirements to complete the course work.

Moral Dilemma Case Review in Sociology studies 2
Introduction
Geological and the anthropological developments occurred in the historical
timelines of the mankind, bring forth some interesting observations. One of them is unique
isolation of certain tribes and the ethnicities from the main stream mankind and races. During
such isolation process, they got distant from the developments occurring in the main stream
and they are not in a position to take up the advantages of the development as well. Well
whatever may be the cause due to which the tribes and the ethnics got isolated, they need to
be integrated with the modern society, to let the fruits of civilization, technology
development and quality of life to be shared by all of them. After all they are companions of
us, sharing the same planet and they do have rightful eligibility to share these benefits.
However still the moral dilemmas in the due course of integration need to focus on several
inherent aspects, some of them are like ethical dilemmas contained in giving consideration to
their cultures and beliefs. Their culture and beliefs need to be provided with consideration
and their right to keep them alive and integrated into their cultural practices to be
safeguarded. They should be provided with an opportunity for their own development as well
they need to be provided with the share of the wider development of the nation they belong to
and should be provided with the opportunities to take part in the enforcement of their national
development as well. In this connection, application of right Ethnographic rationale and
subsequent model application is necessary to upkeep the beliefs and the religions of the
people and while working for integration of the same in the much modern society. At the
same time understanding the impact of the global religions, which obviously will be going to
impact the local religions and beliefs after integration makes up one more important focus
area of the ethnographic studies employed. The following part of the report will focus on
these aspects. Tukano Indians of the Columbian region and their interests are considered in
formulating the inferences in the following case study and review (Reichel-Dolmatoff, G.,
1997).
Discussion and Rationale:
Ethnography is born out of anthropology and works on to qualitatively measure the analysis
of the beliefs, social interactions and behaviours of the specific group of people- the
community. Observations, participations for long time with the ethnics will provide in-depth
inferences and they will be employed to decide the rationale for subsequent methods
employed for integration of the tribes and for other similar applications as well. Application

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of these considerations will also take insights into the sustainability concepts and the
stakeholders aspirations as well in formulating the working models and strategies. Further it
is morally and ethically compliant to link the universal human rights declaration and the
underlying motives to integrate with the ethnographic models and strategies (Ribeiro 1996).
Role of religion and implications to sustainability:
Religion is a common and shared sentiment in the communities that will provide them a
directive and vision towards shared and common actions. It will provide them direction to
take up decisions in all the cases where there is ambiguity and need for external advice for
taking up an appropriate course of action. Normally these religious believes are closely
related with their cultural practices and are formulated for collective good and sustenance of
the particular race or community. Though the modern integration need not necessarily need
the beliefs of the religion to survive, they can be honoured as they are part of the life of the
community and integrated into practices from several generations. As long as they are not
dogmatic, there is no need to abolish them, infact honouring the principles of the religion is
nothing but honouring the people, community and their heritage as a whole. Hence any ethnic
development model needs to invariably consider honouring the indigenous religions and the
beliefs while integrating them with the main stream operations. Article 18 and Article 19 of
the Universal human rights declaration can be refereed in the formulation of the ethnic
models for integration. Article 18 indicates that every human being has freedom of thought,
conscience and religion. Further he has right to change his religion or belief as well. While
working alone or as well while working in the communities he can be provided with his right.
Further Article 19 indicates that every human being has right to express his opinion and
expression. Article 27 of UN human rights proclamation further indicates the right of the
person to respect his own cultural life and sustain him communal believes. Hence it is not
only moral and ethical concern but also an ethical concern to respect religious believes in this
regard. Federal government obviously need to take up necessary actions to protect them and
to safeguard them from the global religions and the global beliefs. They should not endanger
the sustainenance of these communities.
Reflection on Tukano Indians and Conclusion
However sustainability can be given major priority and the government can safeguard the
religious and cultural principles of the ethnics in this regard. Integrated community
development models need to be employed in this case, with constraints of protecting the

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endangered communities. Specifically in the context of Tukano Indians, they shared and do
have heritage with a rich culture full of enigma and integrated even with the modern
principles of the resource management and conservation through shamanism principles.
Tukano Indians do share the shamanistic directives to safe guard the natural resources like
forests, greenery, animals etc. Overharvesting and even over hunting are prohibited in the
sharmanistic beliefs. It can be related with the modern day systems analysis and system
resource management concepts. Sustainability is their already included in the religion. The
thinking is supported by rationale and there is scientific reasoning included in it, however the
modern day scientific reasoning can be explained the underlying motives and they will
replace the spirits and hallucinations etc mentioned in the cultural guidelines. Infact the
modern integration can consider keeping up the vision contained in the indigenous tribes and
their wisdom and survival studies need to be integrated in the case observations for future
ethnographical models and strategies development. In either case, the studies are expected to
provide a comprehensive consideration of their customs and beliefs. As long as their beliefs
and cultures are rationally supported by modern day understanding and as long as they are
not detrimental to the mankind on larger perspective they can be protected and sustained.
Further the impact of the global religions can be curtailed to protect them. Further practices
like western education of the shamanism (Jackson 1995, P.325)) can be employed to sustain
their practices. It is moral, legal and ethical responsibility of the mankind at large to take up
the good from the isolated tribes and honour them while integrating into the modern society.

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Reference:
Reichel-Dolmatoff, G., 1997. Rainforest shamans: essays on the Tukano Indians of the
Northwest Amazon. Green Books.
Jackson, J., 1995. Preserving Indian Culture: Shaman Schools and Ethno‐Education in the
Vaupés, Colombia. Cultural Anthropology, 10(3), pp.302-329.
Ribeiro, D. and Gomes, M., 1996. Ethnicity and civilization. Dialectical anthropology, 21(3),
pp.217-238.