Philosophical Anthropology - 2982 Words

Philosophical Anthropology ABSTRACT: Philosophers cannot avoid addressing the question of whether philosophical anthropology (that is, specifically philosophical inquiry about human nature and human phenomenon) is possible. Any answer must be articulated in the context of the nature and function of philosophy. In other words, philosophical anthropology must be defined as an account of the nature of the subject of philosophical thinking. I argue that if philosophical thinkers admit that they are beings in nature, culture, and history, then the possibility of a uniquely philosophical theory of human nature and human phenomenon should be discarded. Rather, philosophys catalytic and integrative role in human cognition should be stressed.†¦show more content†¦While philosophers may claim to have a unique aim and method in their investigation of human experience, it by no means is a topic unique to philosophy. There is a practical reason for the anthropological interest on the part of philosophers as well. The field of human experiences upon which philosophers reflect includes the pursuit of values and awareness of norms of behavior. Not only are the nature and sources of values and norms engaging objects of understanding in themselves but their critical assessment must be felt existentially pressing because humans cannot but pursue some values and follow some norms and they have interest in being assured that the values they pursue and the norms they follow are worthy of pursuit and conformance respectively. Even if the sources of values and norms may come to be thought to transcend human nature, as in theological ethics, such determination cannot be made without an examination of human nature as their possible source. But what aspects of human life are relevant here and how they are to be investigated remains an open question. It will be dogmatic to deny that the relevant aspects include some that are fit for empirical inquiry. In light of the fact that common sense, natural and social sciences, history, and religion all have their say about human nature and human phenomena, the following question becomes pressing: Is philosophical anthropology, specifically philosophical inquiry about humans, possible,Show MoreRelated Environmental Destruction: A Philosophical-Anthropological Perspective2466 Words   |  10 PagesEnvironmental Destruction: A Philosophical-Anthropological Perspective It is no secret anylonger that the ecological crisis puts mankind as a whole to an existential test which have to be solved in practice and in theory. So, by this the vast amount of literature can be explained which consequently led to the emergence of an own genre — the so called ecoliterature which herself is really dissonant and ambigious. In the meantime — besides other sources — almost all sciences take part in suchRead MorePhilosophical Implications of Cultural Relativism4081 Words   |  17 PagesPhilosophical Implications of Cultural Relativism Philosophical position of Cultural Relativism is best understood in terms of its epistemological, ethical and logical implications. Philosophical means articulation, argumentation, analysis, and synthesis of the idea, principle or concept. [1] Implication is a relationship between two propositions that holds when both propositions are true and fails when the first is true but the second is false. It is to develop a logical cohesion among argumentsRead MoreApplying Anthropology to Nursing Essay1130 Words   |  5 PagesApplying Anthropology to Nursing Medical Anthropology is dedicated to the relationship between human behavior, social life, and health within an anthropological context. It provides a forum for inquiring into how knowledge, meaning, livelihood, power, and resource distribution are shaped and how, in turn, these observable facts go on to shape patterns of disease, experiences of health and illness, and the organization of treatments. It focuses on many different topics including the politicalRead More Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentism - which is more objective?1042 Words   |  5 Pagesethnocentric rejection of such a practice as superficially repulsive. Once again, an objective perspective on a controversial subject only arises from relativistic interpretation of cultural backgrounds. The search for objectivity is essentially philosophical and is the foremost aspiration of any anthropological study. Subjectivity in cross-cultural observation stems from our culturally conditioned value-laden assumptions regarding that which is culturally acceptable. These ethnocentric perceptionsRead MoreClifford Geertz - Interpretive Anthropology2636 Words   |  11 PagesSocial Anthropology Essay. How would you summarize Clifford Geertz’s contribution to the field of anthropology? Clifford Geertz I have chosen this essay on Geertz, as the information I received in class I found interesting and wanted to elaborate on the knowledge I already had. In this essay, I will be discussing Geertz’s contributions to anthropology, and what I have interpreted these contributions as myself. When looking at Geertz’s ideas and theories in Anthropology, some of these ideas andRead MoreThe Discipline Of Cultural Anthropology3459 Words   |  14 Pages The discipline of cultural anthropology falls into the idea that culture everywhere is our lives impacts every aspect of our human lives. â€Å"Anthropology is the scientific study of human beings-that is, human creature viewed in the abstract: male, female, all colors and shapes, pre-historic, ancient, and modern. Many cultural anthropologists come to believe that the idea of our past and present societies, from the social and cultural structure of them, to the religion and language, as well as theRead MoreCultural Anthropology : Physical Anthropology3800 Words   |  16 Pagesglossary Anthropology: It is a general comprehensive science of man in the past and present of any culture. This is divided into two main areas: physical anthropology, dealing with biological evolution and physiological adaptation of humans, and social or cultural anthropology that deals with people living in society, ie forms of evolution of language, culture and customs. Anthropology uses tools and knowledge produced by the natural sciences and the social sciences. Aspiration of anthropologicalRead MoreSummary of the Development of Anthropological Theory from the XIX century to the Present XXI century2646 Words   |  11 Pagescomplex groups and would occasionally pass another group or merge with another group in passing it would seem reasonable to assume that a base curiosity must have been piqued. All ideas, whether valid or not, begin with a thought. The field of anthropology is a rich transformation and amalgamation of ideas, thoughts and theories evolving throughout time. The purpo se of this essay is to summarize the development of anthropological theory from the late nineteenth century to the present twenty-firstRead MoreBook Summary of the Use and Abuse of Biology2361 Words   |  10 PagesPart 1 Marshall Sahlins is one of the most prominent American anthropologists of our time. He holds the title of Charles F. Grey Distinguished Service Professor of Anthropology at the University of Chicago where he presently teaches. Marshall Sahlins, The Use and Abuse of Biology, is an excellent text, which attacks both the logical errors of sociobiology and its ideological distortions. His work focuses on demonstrating the power that culture has to shape peoples perceptions and actionsRead MoreA Research Project On Inuit Of Arctic Canada1762 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout the course of human history epidemic spurts of self-destructive behaviour have posed both pertinent philosophical and medical problems for societies all across the globe. Presently, in various ethnic communities spread across the world, rates of suicide, substance abuse, and other detrimental actions towards oneself display their highest rates among young people (CITE THIS). While much research has been facilitat ed on the vast degree and distribution of self-destructive behaviour, there