There is a lot of conflict to the question “is anthropology a science?” A lot of this conflict leads from defining what a science is, in the dictionary science is, “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.” (Dictionary.com, 2011) Anything that can be studied is considered a science. Without science anthropology would be nearly impossible to study, science makes everything quantifiable. Anthropology should continue along its current path of being a science. Anthropology is quantifiable; by using science you can determine information much more precisely. Anthropology is absolutely 100 percent a science in every way shape and form, and should also be considered one.
Anything that can be studied is absolutely considered a science. When people think of science and the scientific method they most often think of chemicals. Human experiment’s can also be conducted and considered scientific. The scientific method can be used to study people. Simply start by asking a question, doing background research, and then constructing a hypothesis. When studying people or their culture you can absolutely start with these simple steps, therefore using science to study these people. After determining your hypothesis, you can test it with an experiment, record your results and form a conclusion. “Science is the best system yet devised for reducing subjective bias, error, untruths, lies, and frauds.” (Harris, 1994, Pg. 6) Harris states that using science is they best way to prevent errors or miscalculations. We use science everyday; to assess every situation, and every problem that we have, even when we don’t think we a...
... middle of paper ...
...a much easier and more accurate approach to studying humans. By using quantifiable measures you can put a number on whatever you are studying rather than a vague guess, people want exact numbers and details. Anthropology is and will always be seen as a hard science.
Works Cited
Bakhurst, David. “Lying and Decieving.” Journal of Medical Ethics 18 (June 1992): n. pag. JSTOR. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.
Peterson, Candida C., James L. Peterson, and Diane Seeto. Child Developement. Vol. 54. N.p.: Blackwell Publishing, n.d. JSTOR. Web. 29 Sept. 2011.
“Science.” Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Nov. 2011. .
Welsch, Robert L, and Kirk M Endicott. “Should Cultural Anthropology Model itself on the Natural Science.” Taking sides clashing views on controversial issues in cultural anthropology. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
Anthropology is a study of mankind that goes beyond the fragment of ones skeletal remains. Anthropology Studies involved within this science include the culture and surroundings a person once lived in.Anthropology, (2014) A example scientist often conduct archaeological digs. Their findings reveal many different aspects of that person or person’s life. The weather a person could have been exposed to. The environment or activities that person might have participated in. The scope of life that can be recovered from human remains is astonishing. Forensic Science as a whole is an impressive and interesting science that can be used within many different realms.
Anthropology is broadly defined as the study of humans. In it we learn all about how we have changed culturally, linguistically, historically, and physically over time. Like in any of the sciences however, the ideas, thoughts, and practices used in anthropology have change drastically over time. These changes were caused when anthropologist at the time realized that the way that they were doing things were wrong. They also realized that these errors that they were making were creating some issues over time. So in order to prevent future anthropologist from thinking like Morgan did during his time in the present time, they changed their ways. Some of the biggest changes happened post-World War II. The five theorists that helped aid in this change
Culture - Anthropologists study early hominid culture, and they can peace a picture of the early peoples’ cultural behavior. Many modern humans still have cultural beliefs.
The simplest way to put it is the study of cultures. This differs from Anthropology because it is the process of first hand experiences that allow you to learn about the culture. Ethnography studies the customs, languages, rituals, survival methods etc. that a group of humankind uses in order to progress and/maintain their culture. Participating, listening, and observing are all parts of fieldwork – which is a very important part of research. Interacting and observing is essential to ethnography. The more opportunities Anthropologists have to participate in ethnography and fieldwork, the more open society can be about all the different types of humans there
Anthropology is the study of humans through the ages. It aims to understand different cultures and practices that have existed from the origins of mankind as well. It differs from sociology in that it takes into account humans and cultures that no longer exist.
Anthropology is defined as the study of human kind. Since human kind is such a broad topic, anthropology has four subfields. These include physical anthropology (otherwise known as biological anthropology), linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, and archaeology. These subfields each have their own characteristics, but they all tie into the holistic view of anthropology.
Anthropology is the study of humans throughout the world. Anthropologists study our social and cultural aspects as well as our biological aspects that make us human. Anthropology is extremely relevant to understanding homo sapiens because they study our evolutionary history, how we behave, and most importantly how we adapt to new environments. Anthropology is a key piece in learning about new environments and now that Mars is inhabitable Anthropologists will have to prepare us. So us as humans are going to see how this population going to Mars will adapt to their new environment. Anthropologists will be able to make new discoveries about Mars and the population as a whole.
Through the readings I figured I was not completely wrong, anthropology is in fact the study of human evolution. Franz Boas said the domain of anthropology is the ‘‘treats of man’’ as a member of a social group. However, through
Participant observation is a method of collecting information and data about a culture and is carried out by the researcher immersing themselves in the culture they observing. The researcher becomes known in the community, getting to know and understand the culture in a more intimate and detailed way than would be possible from any other approach. This is done by observing and participating in the community’s daily activities. The method is so effective because the researcher is able to directly approach the people in the community in a natural context as opposed to taking the participant out of their environment. The aim of participant observation is to gain an understanding the subject’s life from their perspective, with the purpose of collecting more detailed information about a community’s habits, opinions, relationships and issues.
In order to be considered a science, Psychology must consequently adhere to using a scientific method. If this were, as usual, taken to mean the accumulation of knowledge through systematic observation or experimentation, Psychology would likely not have an issue in being recognised, however traditional views of a science mean most areas, with the exception of Behaviourism, would not be considered a science in their own right.
Physical anthropology “is in large part, human biology seen from an evolutionary perspective” (Jurmaln, Kilgore & Trevathan, 2011). By this statement, I believe the authors mean that physical anthropology studies human biology with an evolutionary viewpoint rather than a scientific or medical viewpoint. Anthropology, as a broader science, is concerned with and studies human culture and the evolutionary aspects of human biology. Since culture affects human beings and human beings affect culture, the two are intertwined, and it therefore, makes sense to study them together. There are other types of anthropology (cultural anthropology, applied anthropology, archeology, forensic anthropology, and linguistic anthropology), but physical anthropology is the specific area that focuses on the biological link between humans and their culture. One of the common links among all areas of anthropology is genetics. But, because it specifically studies human beings, physical anthropology is the primary vehicle for the study of evolution.
Anthropology can teach us about how a race was constructed, about how it is determined, and the similarities and differences between races in different countries of the world. Anthropology can teach you about the Burakumin in Japan, the whites in the United States, and the pretos in the cities of Brazil. Anthropology is all about the “how” and “why” and this is exactly what we need when talking about race, how was it constructed in different countries throughout the world, and why was it even constructed in the first place. Anthropology opens doors to answers that have never been revealed simply because nobody was seeking them. Now that people are seeking them, and exploring new ideas, and living throughout these ideas, they will furthermore answer questions that we have been trying to answer for a long time. According to Smedley “What is so striking about the American experience in creating such an extreme conception of human differences was the role played by scientists and scholars in legitimizing the folk ideas. Scholarly writers began attempting to prove scientifically that "the Negro" was a different and lower kind of human being”. This shows that although anthropologists aren’t always correct, but this just leads them closer to the correct
It analyzes similarities and differences in various cultures and societies. Culture is learned and affects our perception of the world throughout our life. Overtime, a sense of cultural superiority is formed amongst individuals who are constantly exposed to their own culture. Anthropology can help eliminate culturally based biases, also known as ethnocentrism. It is a common practice we all in engage in when evaluating other cultures, however, by practicing anthropology this allows us to learn about other cultures by placing themselves into the cultural environment allows us to learn the traditions and customs by experience. Marjorie Shostak`s study of the !Kung people revealed that they organized themselves differently than Western cultures, which included solving conflicts with discussion, communal behavior, and basic living traditions. Moreover, by interviewing and living in this cultural environment, Shostak was able to empathize with the !Kung people and she also considered that all humans share an emotional life, which is important when studying the history of our human
In society today, the discipline of anthropology has made a tremendous shift from the practices it employed years ago. Anthropologists of today have a very different focus from their predecessors, who would focus on relating problems of distant peoples to the Western world. In more modern times, their goal has become much more local, in focusing on human problems and issues within the societies they live.
Anthropology gives the knowledge that people need to think outside of their own culture. Example; two men are watching television, one with some anthropological knowledge and other with none, and a movie comes on about African children passing through a ritual to manhood. The man with anthropology training has the knowledge to reflect on similar ritual from his culture, and understand the reasoning behind that ritual. Now the man with no anthropology knowledge would most likely be grossed out and turn the channel. And that’s a problem because the globe is not so large anymore, and people need to reflect, and understand when they see things not of their own culture.