Lenkeits Cultural Anthropology - Essay Example

Lenkeit’s Cultural Anthropology: An Essay This paper will be dedicated to three main topics answered in the essay style below: first, it is strongly recommended to contrast and compare two different parts of the world concerning technology, subsistence, systems of distribution; then, we will be focused on Euro-constructs about sexual orientation; finally, our paper will be concentrated around a basic theoretical framework in medical anthropology. 1 In the current sub-chapter we will compare and contrast foragers in two different parts of the world with respect to technology, subsistence, division of labor, and systems of distribution; in order to prove these theses, let us cite specific examples to illustrate the most relevant points of the paper.

Thus, technology in the Euro-American world is a crucial concept, because it signifies a set of instruments for classifying things. Furthermore, division of labor could be applied properly in terms of technology, as a main factor of its developing, according to Marx (Lenkeit, p. 96). Moreover, systems of distribution differ from West to East, because in the West market goods are widely produced and distributed, whereas in the East only some religious and moral ideas and principle are reproduced predominantly.

Unlikely, subsistence is the ground for both division of labor and systems of distribution in the scientific philosophy and cultural anthropology. Illustrating the most relevant points of the sub-chapter, it can be said that technology, subsistence, division of labor, and systems of distribution are extremely vital regarding compare and contrast foragers in two different parts of the world. 2 In this sub-chapter we will critically discuss the problems associated with using Euro-American constructs about sexual orientation to describe the behaviors and attitudes of the other cultures; accordingly, we will point out areas where problems could arise, offering solutions towards understanding.

Thus, there are some Euro-American constructs about sexual orientation, especially in psychoanalysis: drive; passion, and compensation (Lenkeit, p. 95). Initially, Freudian theory of sexual drives is extremely important in terms of sexual orientation, because it is relevant for describing why sexes are so significant for each other. Then, passion is a way of how drives realize each other. Moreover, compensation or sublimation is a most vital scientific method in psychoanalysis which suggests why sexual orientation occurred and why sometimes it is converted into creative activities (Lenkeit, p. 38). Analyzing Euro-American constructs,’ drives, passions, and compensation must be seen as being helpful for sexual orientation.

3 In this sub-chapter we will describe the three basic theoretical frameworks that are the basis for work in medical anthropology, including the use of the scientific method each employs; then, it will be showed briefly how one of these applies to a case study of medical anthropology. Therefore, the three basic theoretical frameworks in medical anthropology are: hermeneutics; pluralism; and multiculturalism (Lenkeit, p. 21). Firstly, hermeneutics in a field of medical anthropology could be regarded as a way of extended reasoning of things to understand phenomenon of outer world of the patient as well as inner ones.

Furthermore, pluralism means that criteria for dividing objects are plural, without single scale, and it depends on type of objects that are explored (Lenkeit, p. 25). Thirdly, multiculturalism means that every culture must be compared with another one on a ground of respect and equality. Supposedly, hermeneutics applies equal reasoning as a scientific method; pluralism implies plurality; and, multiculturalism suggests equality. To analyze medical anthropology, hermeneutics, pluralism, and multiculturalism can be described as connected to a field of medical anthropology in such way: first one helps to meet the needs of clients correctly; second one helps to understand these needs in a multitude of conceptual variants; third one is useful to respect the customers who are from originally from different cultures.

Works Cited Lenkeit, Roberta Edwards. ‘Introducing Cultural Anthropology.’ New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.