Understanding The Self: Anthropological Perspective PDF

U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E S E L F: ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF JESSICA M. CHOZAS Assoc. Prof 5 - Instructor A N T H R O P O LO GY is a field of the social sciences that focuses on the study of man. This does not only pertain to one aspect of ma...

U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E S E L F: ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF JESSICA M. CHOZAS Assoc. Prof 5 - Instructor A N T H R O P O LO GY is a field of the social sciences that focuses on the study of man. This does not only pertain to one aspect of man, but rather on the totality of what it means to be human. This field looks into man’s physical/biological characteristics, his social relationships, and the influences of his culture from the dawn of the civilization up to the present, “for what man is now SUBFIELDS OF A N T H R O P O LO GY Archeology Biological Anthropology Linguistics Cultural Anthropology A RC H E O LO GY is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. Archeologist unearths pieces of pottery, tools, jewelries, and even bones of the past occupants of the dig site in order to discover how these people lived their lives. A RC H E O LO GY As a result, archeologist have so far discovered the unique ways in which human beings adapted to changes in their environment in order for them to survive. Archeological data suggests that the species homo sapiens did not become extinct because of their ability to think,, use tools and learn from experience. They have adapted and gained B I O LO G I C A L A N T H R O P O LO GY Deals with the study of the evolution of humans, their variability, and adaptations to environmental stresses. It investigates human and non-human primate biological evolution and variation by studying biology (especially skeleton), evolutionary theory, inheritance, the fossil record and living B I O LO G I C A L A N T H R O P O LO GY It focuses primarily on how the human body adapts to the different earth environments, They look on the probable causes of disease, physical mutation and death. LINGUISTIC A N T H R O P O LO GY studies the role of language in the social lives of individuals and communities. It explores how language shapes communication and the huge role it plays in social identity, group membership, and establishing cultural beliefs and ideologies. LINGUISTIC A N T H R O P O LO GY So unlike linguist, linguistic anthropologists do not look at language alone, language is viewed as interdependent with culture and social structures. Their interest focuses on using language as a means to discover a group’s manner of social interaction, how language is used to create and share meanings, to form ideas and concepts and to promote social C U LT U RA L A N T H R O P O LO GY Is the study of how people who share a common cultural system organize and shape the physical and social world around them and are in turn shaped by those ideas, behaviors and physical environments. C U LT U RA L A N T H R O P O LO GY Culture is described as a group of people’s way of life. It includes their behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, (usually unconsciously) that are socially transmitted through communication and imitation from generation to generation. Theory of cultural determinism-who or what a person is may be determined by the kind of culture he is born into and grew up in. WAY S I N W H I C H C U LT U R E MANIFESTS ON PEOPLE: SYMBOLS Words, gestures, pictures or objects that have a recognized meaning in a particular culture. Ex. Rings-commitment; colors- have meanings that are similar in many cultures. HEROES Persons from the past or present who have characteristics that are important in a culture. Ex. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio; Darna, Spiderman. WAY S I N W H I C H C U LT U R E MANIFESTS ON PEOPLE: RITUALS Activities participated in by a group of people for the fulfillment of desired objectives and are socially essential. Ex. Baptism, weddings,birthdays, graduation VA LU E S Human tendencies/preferences towards good or bad, right or wrong. Ex. Respect for elders, hospitality, nationalism  The field of anthropology is yet another way by which a person can view himself. It makes the S U M M A RY person aware that what he is A N T H R O P O LO G I C A L maybe determined by his past SELF and present condition, his biological characteristics, the way he communicates, the language that he uses and the manner in which he chooses to live his life. T H A N K YO U !