Taking Sides Clashing Views in Anthropology, Essay Example

To fully understand and be able to determine if anthropology is actually a science, one must be able to define the two disciplines. Science can be defined as a systematic way of obtaining factual information. Science is a combination of reason and observation. Both of which are used to form and test a hypothesis. Ideas in science can come from various sources, but must be investigated from a scientific perspective-the scientific method. The scientific method only holds one restriction, which is that the claim must be testable against evidence. Anthropology is the study and comparison of different cultures and how they develop, grow, and interact with each other. Once anthropologist have collected this information, they examine it and report it efforts of presenting insight on how and why certain sects of people live a certain way. Initially, traditional anthropologist viewed it as a physical science, but now it has broadened. Clifford Geertz believes that cultural anthropology is an interpretive science and should not be placed among other natural sciences, but Robert Carneiro believes that it has and should remain a natural science because it attempts to explain phenomenon. Although both present logical arguments supporting their views, I believe that cultural anthropology is or should be a natural science because one’s culture has an enormous impact on the type of life one lives.

Geertz’s interest in cultural differences around the world stem from Claude Levi-Strauss studies in cultural classification, religious beliefs, rituals, and symbolism. Geertz conducted a field study in the 50s and 60s on an island in Indonesia. During this research he concluded that a person’s approach to the material world was greatly shaped by the symbolic world in which they live. Thus, he believes the anthropologist’s job is to interpret culture. Consequently, he believes anthropologists should be a science of interpretation because culture cannot be verified by laws.

Robert Carneiro points out very logical ideas when he discusses the way a leaf falls to the ground. He says no two leaves will fall in the same way, but each is affected by the rules of physics-gravity. It’s is very much the same scenario in society. A person’s cultural upbringing dictates a great deal of his/her actions. Carnerio pulls points from many great thinkers. He mentions Leslie White’s definition of science and art. White points out that the purpose of science and art are basically the same; they are just approached from different angles. Nonetheless, they are working to reach the same goal. I believe Carnerio is saying that no matter what one refers to anthropology as, it is seeking the same end. For that reason, less time should be spent trying to discern what the proper name for anthropology should be.

I believe the overall objective of anthropology is to give insight into understanding humanity. Researchers have discovered that culture plays a great role in shaping how people in a particular society interact with one another. For this reason, I believe anthropology is a science. In my opinion, science seeks to explain phenomena. Just as no two leaves will fall from a tree in the same way; neither will two humans react to societal stimuli in the same way. The study of how culture affects other aspects of life is science because science investigates any phenomenon that affects human being. For that reason, it is impossible to disregard how culture affects society.

Works Cited

Endicott, Kirk, and Robert Welsch. Taking Sides Clashing Views in Anthropology. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2012. Print.