ANTH 1020H Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Thomas Kuhn, Paradigm Shift, Zande People
2 Apr 2018
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All humans/systems of thought are equally logical the differences being where the premises start from. Thomas kuhn: paradigm shift; too much going on that we just don"t understand. Once you accept the basic principles of a system, everything, including anomalies, can be explained. Witchcraft is believed in by many cultures; for instance, if a boy in one witchcraft- believing culture stubs his toe uncharacteristically, it is witchcraft. Aka, sudden misfortunes are evidences of witchcraft, including death. There are a few exceptions (in the readings). Someone who can cause misfortune to have a type of supernatural force; as evans. Pritchett points out, however, there is no concept of supernatural for the [tribe he studied/azande]. There is so distinguishing point between the two. A witch does not need any medicines or special tools; it"s a nonphysical thing; a mental thing. You don"t always know if you are doing witchcraft in azande culture.
