Key Aspects of Anthropology

Research Approaches in the Four Fields Anthropology has been called “the most humane of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities” Wide range of approaches that span: Science (hypothesis, observation, and testing) Humanities (more subjective, based on feeling)

Research Approaches in the Four Fields Anthropology as a social science is empirical – based on observations rather than on intuition or faith Fieldwork (being on location and fully immersed in another way of life) is a core methodological aspect of anthropology.

Ethnography and Ethnology Summary means “culture writing” provides a first-hand, detailed description of a living culture based on first-hand fieldwork and research of one culture

Ethnography The systematic description of a particular culture based on firsthand observation.

Ethnography and Ethnology Summary the study of one topic in more than one culture marriage forms, economic practices, religion, etc. comparative and cross-cultural uses ethnographic material collected by a number of researchers

Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism Anthropology focus on cultural relativism rather than ethnocentrism Cultural relativism is the belief that each culture must be understood in terms of its own values and beliefs and not by the standards of another culture Is the opposite of ethnocentrism The belief that no culture is better than any other culture Is gained by exposure to “other” ways with a sympathetic eye and ear to appreciating differences

Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism Anthropology focus on cultural relativism rather than ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures by the standards of one’s own culture rather than the standards of other cultures The belief that one’s own culture is the way of life and that other ways of life are strange and inferior

Absolute culture relativism versus Critical cultural relativism Absolute cultural relativism says that whatever goes on in a particular culture must not be questioned or change because it would be ethnocentric to question any behavior or idea anywhere. Star Trek’s “Prime Directive”? No one shall interfere with the culture/cultural evolution of another planet under any conditions What are some challenges of absolute cultural relativism?

Absolute culture relativism versus Critical cultural relativism Critical cultural relativism is an alternative to absolute cultural relativism Critical cultural relativism says that some of what goes on in a particular culture can be questioned or changed because of an idea of a set of universal human rights. What are some challenges of critical cultural relativism?