1. EASA policy paper_Why anthropology matters

Why Anthropology Matters

• Date: October 15, 2015

• Context: Statement by the Executive Committee of the European Association of Social Anthropologists after a conference in Prague, focusing on the relevance of anthropology in contemporary Europe.

• Participants: Over 50 anthropologists from 17 countries discussing cultural and social anthropology.

• Importance: Held against the backdrop of the ongoing refugee crisis, highlighting the discipline's significance today.

• Co-organizers: Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Czech Association for Social Anthropology.

• Funding: Supported by the Czech Academy of Sciences grant programme "Strategy 2020."

Definition of Anthropology

• Anthropology is described as the art of making the familiar exotic and the exotic familiar.

• Eric Wolf's quote: "the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities."

• Core Definition: The comparative study of humans, societies, and their cultural worlds, exploring human diversity and commonalities.

Historical Context

• Traditional focus on 'remote places' and small-scale societies, often lacking literacy and state integration.

• Modern anthropology recognizes the complexity of contemporary societies dealing with migration, climate change, and global crises.

• Early anthropologists sought to understand 'the native's point of view' in various cultures.

• Current anthropologists apply this perspective to local and global issues, including consumption patterns and ethnic politics.

Continuity of Questions

• Key Anthropological Questions:

  • What does it mean to be human?

  • How are societies organized?

  • What defines the concept of 'we'?

• Examination of kinship, power dynamics, religion, gender, and social class.

• Study of capitalism's impact on small-scale societies and cultural survival quests.

Tools of Anthropology

• Shared methods across theoretical schools in social and cultural anthropology.

• Anthropology equips practitioners with skills to address complex societal questions.

Key Terms

• Cultural Relativism: Understanding societies on their terms without judgment; rejecting a developmental hierarchy from 'underdeveloped' to 'developed'.

• Ethnography: Primary data collection method involving long-term field study and personal interactions.

• Comparison: Method for uncovering similarities and differences across social and cultural contexts, providing insights into human existence.

• Context: Emphasizing relationships and social connections; societal understanding derived from complex interactions.

Detailed Concepts

Cultural Relativism

• Importance: Recognizes qualitative differences among societies; avoids ranking.

• Ethical Perspective: Not a moral judgment but a methodology for understanding diverse cultural practices.

• Example: Literacy and income are not sufficient criteria for evaluating societal 'betterment'.

Ethnography

• Definition: Long-term, immersive fieldwork for gathering in-depth sociocultural data.

• Method: Involves learning local languages and engaging in community activities.

• Data Collection: Primarily through participant observation; requires familiarity and trust within the community.

The Power of Comparison

• Significance: Enables discovery of universals and enhances understanding of societal dynamics.

• Application: Provides insights and models for coexistence, applicable to contemporary global issues.

• Objective: Avoid ranking; instead, create a foundation for informed policy development.

Context and Relationships

• Focus: Anthropologists study relationships rather than isolated individuals; culture is activated through interactions.

• Capability: Anthropologists can reveal unseen societal nuances and dynamics through both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Contemporary Relevance of Anthropology

• Globalization and cultural contact: Increased interaction between diverse groups globally.

• Modern issues: Migration, multicultural controversies, and the role of cultural identity in societal integration.

• Cultural changes: Rapid transformations in lifestyle, family structures, and societal norms necessitate anthropological insights.

Need for Anthropological Knowledge

• Application: Useful in public and private sectors, enhancing understanding of complexity and diversity.

• Professional Opportunities: While limited in vocational roles, anthropologists find value in sectors requiring nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics.

• Global context: Anthropological perspective is crucial in addressing global challenges, advocating for mutual respect and understanding in a diverse world.

Conclusions

• Anthropology provides critical insights into an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world.

• It fosters understanding and respect across cultural divides, delivering valuable lessons about both 'the other' and 'the self'.

• Essential in navigating the complexities of 21st-century global society, serving as both a scientific and humanistic discipline.