Anthropology 2222F/G Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Robert L. Carneiro, Clifford Geertz, Thick Description
1 Mar 2017
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Sunday, september 20, 2015 anthro 2222: foundations of anthro. Notion that the term culture" in modern day is problematic because it is often associated with ideas of homogeneity, sameness, etc. But actually, it is the inconsistencies, differences and con icting beliefs that characterize cultures. Culture should be retained as a convenient term for designating the clusters of common concepts, emotions, and practices that arise when people interact regularly. Believes you cannot interpret cultural anthropology scienti cally. Uses example of winking: in one case it is a physical reaction, in another it"s a deliberate conspiratorial movement. Thin description; rapidly contracting his right eyelids. Thick description; practicing a burlesque of a friend faking a wink for malicious purposes. Believes what we call data" are just our own constructions of other ppl"s constructions. Must be microscopic - rather than looking at the huge picture, base it off the individual village being studied. Believes in determinism rather than free will.
