From Anthropology and the Abnormal, Essay Example

Discussion of Anthropology and the Abnormal by Ruth Benedict

Anthropology is a field that compares human societies and cultures and analyzes how humans have adapted to themselves as well as their environment. Inherent to human culture are ethics of societal acceptance or social deviance. “By studying the similarities and differences amongst cultures, Ruth Benedict, anthropologist and author of “Anthropology and the Abnormal,” illustrates how morality is culturally distinguished.” [1](Vaughn, L., 2007). She further states that different people are subject to different basic moral demands, depending on the social customs, practices, conventions, values and principles that they accept. Benedict further portrays that what is considered moral is portrayed simply as ‘normal’ in today’s society. With customs such as religion and formal marriage arrangements in countries such as India, wide limits of variability are well known. Problems arise with abnormal customs that cannot be easily identified as absolute. An example of abnormal custom would be that of psychic manifestation and practise. Though these people may possess abnormal functions they may function as normal people in our society. Homosexuality is another example of an abnormal function in society. “The practise causes identifiable consequences. The concept of normal is properly a variant of the concept of good; that which society has approved.” [2](Benedict, R., 1967).

Discussion of Trying Out One’s New Sword by Mary Midgley

Midgley’s views are very objective and are based on moral isolationism that the world is divided into separate societies and sealed units each with it’s own system of thoughts. [3](Arthur, 2009). She makes claim that if we are to judge another culture we must put enough time in to understand the culture, not simply make bias or subjective statements. “If we accept the premise to praise another culture then we accept there is no isolating barrier that would forbid critical assessment.”[4] (Louis V., 2007). This is a realist point of view needed for objective criticism. She continues to point out that we must first be willing to understand our own culture before we can truly understand other cultures and begin to judge other cultures. “Morally as well as physically, there is only one world, and we all have to live in it.” (119).[5] (Arthur, 2009). The power of moral judgment is a necessity because it establishes a policy by which we live. There would be no policy of comparison for our own lives without moral judgment. Moral scepticism, though leads to inaction and loss of interest in morality. If a real barrier actually existed our own society would never have formed.

Personal Meanings of the Writings

My feelings are that Benedict shows the reader how morals are generated by the ‘norms’ of society which are quite subjective rather than objective. Concepts of good and bad are based on the concept of ‘societal approval’ and that is not the correct basis of what a normal value should be based on however society does continue to dictate the norms by which we live. It is seen in the justice system and even in simple things of dressage and hairstyles. Midgley takes a more realistic approach to conforms of society and judging what is morally acceptable. Midgley portrays that in order to judge one must first accept his/her own culture and this goes with all cultures. I vehemently agree with this concept because in order to pass a moral opinion one must first truly understand the true concept and details of what he/she is judging.

References

Vaughn, L. Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues New York, NY: W W Norton & Co Inc, 2007.

Benedict, R. Anthropology and the Abnormal New York, NY: Pearson Press, 1967.

Arthur (2009) Notes on Mary Midgley’s Trying Out One’s New Sword (Arthur, ch. 4, 116-119).

Vaughn, L. Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues New York, NY: W W Norton & Co Inc, 2007.

Arthur (2009) Notes on Mary Midgley’s Trying Out One’s New Sword (Arthur, ch. 4, 116-119).

[1] Vaughn, L. Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues New York, NY: W W Norton & Co Inc, 2007..

[2] Benedict, R. Anthropology and the Abnormal New York, NY: Pearson Press, 1967.

[3] Arthur (2009) Notes on Mary Midgley’s Trying Out One’s New Sword (Arthur, ch. 4, 116-119).

[4] Vaughn, L. Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues New York, NY: W W Norton & Co Inc, 2007.

[5] Arthur (2009) Notes on Mary Midgley’s Trying Out One’s New Sword (Arthur, ch. 4, 116-119).