Ruth Benedict The Chrysanthemum And The Sword Analysis

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Anthropologist Ruth Benedict is attributed to stating "The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences." Her insightful ascription of the purpose of anthropology is much debated, as it is not cited in any of her published writings. However, that notion could be extrapolated from a passage on page 15 from her noted work The Chrysanthemum and the Sword (1946). It states, “The tough-minded are content that differences should exist. They respect differences. Their goal is a world made safe for differences, where the United States may be American to the hilt without threatening the peace of the world, and France may be France, and Japan may be Japan on the same conditions.” In the 21st century religion, race, gender, social class, inequality, immigration, women’s rights and sexual orientation and national identity etc. are at the forefront of social issues. My interpretation of Benedicts’ ****intent of anthropology is that through the process of knowing and understanding the contrast of humanity within its own context and the richness it adds to the human experience, the world will become place were diversity is not under siege but appreciated …show more content…

They were high achievers, but many were not accustomed to interacting with other ethnicities. Dealing with diversity can be challenging and the reality that we all have are bias that are linked to (often) inherited set of values and beliefs. As the instructor it was my role to help or guide them in overcoming those discomforts by proving an engaging, inclusive environment, and designing group based discussions and collaborative projects. In that environment they learn to view issues or problems from multiple perspectives, it pushes them expand their worldview and work as a team towards an

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