1+Configuring+Anthropology+and+Its+History+Day+1+and+2.pptx

Configuring Anthropology and Its History Small Places, Large Issues, 1-11. Pluto Press, 2015. Central Concepts in Anthropology: Culture Etymology: “culture' comes from Latin 'colere', meaning to cultivate. Very complex: over 160 definitions, contested for decades “Abilities, notions and fo...

Configuring Anthropology and Its History Small Places, Large Issues, 1-11. Pluto Press, 2015. Central Concepts in Anthropology: Culture Etymology: “culture' comes from Latin 'colere', meaning to cultivate. Very complex: over 160 definitions, contested for decades “Abilities, notions and forms of behaviour persons have acquired as members of society.” Ambigious term: Universal human trait (every human is equally cultural) Culture can refer both to basic similarities and to systematic differences between humans. Geertzian Concept of Culture Developed in the 1960s and 1970s by Clifford Geertz Geertz (1926 –2006) was an influential American anthropologist He served until his death as professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton. Depicts culture as: o An integrated whole o A system of shared meanings within a group. Challenges: o Variations within groups. o Globalization's impact on cultural boundaries. Thus, a national or local culture is often neither fully shared by all inhabitants nor clearly bounded. Culture and Nature Interaction with Biological Urges Culture teaches expression of natural urges (e.g., eating, eliminating wastes). Different cultures have varied customs and traditions for similar biological functions.  Culture and Nature Culture affects the ways in which we perceive nature, human nature, and “the natural.” Through science, invention, and discovery, cultural advances have overcome many “natural” limitations. o Vaccines prevent and cure diseases such as polio and smallpox that decimated our ancestors. o Viagra restores and enhance sexual potency. o Through cloning, scientists have altered the way we think about biological identity and the meaning of life itself. Culture is Learned Enculturation Process by which a child learns their culture Methods Direct teaching (e.g., saying "thank you") Observation and imitation. Unconscious absorption of cultural norms. Human vs Animal Learning Humans use symbols for learning. A symbol is something verbal or nonverbal, within a particular language or culture, that stands for something else Animals Learn from experience (e.g., avoiding fire) & Social learning in groups (e.g., wolves, monkeys). Doctrine of Psychic Unity All human populations have equivalent capacities for culture. Culture is not determined by biological inheritance but by the social environment. The abilities on which culture rests: To learn To think symbolically, To manipulate language To use tools and other cultural products in organizing their lives and coping with their environments  Culture is Symbolic Originated from the ability to use symbols. A symbol is something verbal or nonverbal, within a particular language or culture, that stands for something else Symbolic Thought Unique to humans Use of symbols to signify meanings Symbols have no natural connection to what they signify. Arbitrary & conventional Enable creation, memory, and idea management. Culture is Shared Shared Experience Culture is an attribute of groups, not individuals Provides common experiences, beliefs, and values Little of what we think is original or unique. We share our opinions and beliefs with many other people. Example: We are most likely to agree with and feel comfortable with people who are socially, economically, and culturally similar to ourselves  Culture is All-Encompassing Includes Everyday Practices: Not limited to refinement or the arts. Encompasses daily activities, popular culture, and even trivial aspects of life.  Culture is Integrated Patterned Systems: Changes in one aspect (e.g., economy) affect other aspects. Example: Shifts in women's roles. During the 1950s, most American women expected to have careers as wives, mothers, and domestic managers. As more and more women have entered the workforce, attitudes toward work and family have changed. Mae Jemison What is Anthropology? Etymology: Derived from Greek words "anthropos" (human) and "logos" (reason/knowledge). The comparative study of cultural and social life using participant observation and ethnographic fieldwork. Ethnographic Fieldwork: Involves close-up studies of specific social and cultural environments, typically requiring around a year. Comparison: Uses specific concepts for comparing different societies (e.g. kinship, gender, and power). Four Fields: Sociocultural, Biological, Archeological, and Linguistic.  The Universal and the Particular The core issue that anthropology seeks to understand is the diversity of human social life. This involves balancing the study of similarities and differences across cultures. Anthropologists debate the extent to which all human cultures share common features (universality) versus the degree to which each culture is unique (relativism). Chimbu Girl, Papua New Guinea, National Geographi Mae Jemison  The Universal and the Particular Key Comparative Concepts Kinship system Gender role System of inheritance Implicit Assumptions Common features in all or nearly all societies Mae Jemison  Ethnocentrism Definition: Evaluating other’s from one’s own vantage-point and describing them in one’s own terms. Placing one’s cultural values at the centre makes others appear as inferior imitations of oneself. Serious obstacle to understanding. ethnocentric bias, may shape the very concepts we use in describing and classifying the world. Anthropology calls for an understanding of different societies from the inside Understand societies on their own terms: Avoid judging all societies by a single universal standard, such as GDP or literacy rates Mae Jemison  Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism Opposite of ethnocentrism. It suggests each culture has its own unique logic and shouldn't be ranked against others. Example: Judging a Bushman group by literacy and income is irrelevant if they don't prioritize these things. Importance and Challenges Essential for understanding other societies without bias. Implies all cultural practices are equally good, potentially leading to nihilism. Anthropologists practice cultural relativism professionally but have personal moral beliefs. Methodological Role Cultural relativism doesn't provide a moral guideline. It's a method for studying and comparing societies without using a developmental scale. Helps identify unique and shared aspects of human societies. Possible to be a relativist in method while recognizing common patterns across cultures. A key goal of anthropology is to discover both uniqueness and commonality. Mae Jemison