ANT102H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Essentialism
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ANT102H5 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
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Document Summary
There is an unalterable core within us that determines who we are. It determines what we share and don"t share with others. Biological essentialism: there is an essence within our bodies that tells us who we are. Genetic essentialism: our fate is determined by our genes. Through genetics we can search for certain traits that makes us who we are (sexual orientation, criminality, etc) Who we are is a social or cultural thing. Identity and difference are about similarity and dissimilarity. We as human beings share things with one another, but we are not identical. Therefore we differ in particular ways that matter. Who we are is due to our innate constitution (nature) Who we are is due to our social constitution aka learned (nurture) We share similarities because we learn them (social and culture) Fat gene could make you eat more and move less.
