How Anthropology Allows Us to Study Human Nature in Depth - Essay Example

Anthropology allows us to study the human nature in depth. One is able to examine how people live in different societies, how they interact with eachother and how and whether historical events and backgrounds have engineered further development of the human race. Undoubtedly, there have been many instances that show the relationship between anthropology and social and cultural life of different people. The methods by which this field of study has helped in understanding human are varied and far reaching and will seek to clarify and add meaning to some more understanding of human nature. Many scholars have often done researches to find out more revelations of human nature. People on a whole have always been interested in learning more about themselves and others. According to Christine Jourdan in speaking at an anthropological conference in 2006, entitled, “Does being human transcend particular cultures?” She said, “We had avoided dealing with it. For a long time, the notion of culture predominated. Now we’re looking at it again — group and identity, human nature in the human environment — and we’re trying to approach it philosophically as well as theoretically.” Although, a fairly recent discipline, anthropology has whetted the appetite of many scholars who wished to delve into human behaviour with relation to other life on earth as well as the different patterns and divisions across the globe. In order to satisfy these different facets of human life, the emergence of different branches within the field of anthropology has helped somewhat to further the understanding of human nature. There are four main subfields namely socio-cultural, physical, linguistic and archaeology. Cultural anthropology helps to further the understanding of human nature through its comparative method and evolutionary spectrum it applies to human existence. In distinguishing one set of persons from another the general public seeks to categorize them according to environment, race, religion and development (Delaney, 2004). The very nature of the gathering of information for the social or cultural anthropologist helps him to draw on data that he familiarizes himself with on a day-to-day basis. Unlike scholars from other discipline of studies the anthropologist lives in communities, villages, towns for months and years, before settling on a particular conclusion about the way of life of the persons being studied. This is in contrast to other types of studies that also focus on human nature and behaviour but rather complete research through documents and other related materials. Societies are studied as wholes as the anthropologist not only studies their cultural and social framework but also their economics, legal and political institutions, their family and kinship organizations, their religions, their technologies, their arts (Evans-Pritchard, 2004) among other aspects of their lives. Although physical anthropology is classified as a biological science it also helps to shape the understanding of human behaviour because through this subfield human biology is studied in the context of human culture and behaviour. Consequently, physical anthropology is also regarded as a social science. Scholars have always had an interest in human skeletal remains. Many scientists believe that the biological make up of these remains can help to determine certain aspects of human nature. Some criminologists have even claimed that criminals have similar type of cranial formations. In more recent times anthropologists have begun to use ancestral remains to that will lead to better understanding and devise solutions to problems of violence, disease and social inequity (Katzenberg, Saunders, 2008). Linguistic anthropology links languages with cultures and behaviours. One can further understand the human nature through studying words, concepts, symbols, all of which are integral parts of any language. Through anthropology, linguistics has been used as a tool for collecting ethnographic information and establishing tribal classifications (Ardener, 2004). This plays a major part in understanding aspects of human behaviour that could be easily determined without studying their language. The study of pidgins and creoles, for example, helps the understanding of the level and type of human interaction in particular societies. The study of linguistics by the anthropologist is different from the study done by an ordinary linguist because of the aims, objectives, and concerns consistent in the field of anthropology. These concerns will help in the further understanding as they include the transmission and reproduction of culture, the relationship between cultural systems and different forms of social organization, and the role of the material conditions of existence in people’s understanding of the world (Duranti, 2001). Our understanding has been increased as well in realizing that speaking is a social act and when the anthropologist examines the ways in which language is used in everyday activities it has much implication for the present as well as future encounters. Archaeology is the branch of anthropology that concentrates on studying prehistoric peoples and their cultures. Through this branch, the world has been better able to understand and appreciate the differences and similarities between persons from different eras and ages in comparison with humans in modern times. Through the use of artefacts and material remains this branch is better able to link prehistoric culture and life styles with that of modern times. The study of anthropology lends itself to give meaning to what is human. Through its four major branches it brings a holistic approach to human existence. There is a connection with the natural sciences thus broadening the framework to create better understanding and appreciation. It is a science in that it emphasizes field work and uses statistical data when necessary. As the problems of the world become more complex and even though it may seem as modern technology and discoveries have paid scant regard to understanding human nature anthropology has made several contributions in trying to make the world more tolerable for us. Studying demography through anthropology, for example, helps in determining how population processes and socio-cultural practises affect each other. This can further explain the role of fertility, health, and migration. Another important contribution of anthropology is in the field of medicine and forensics. Closely linked with physical anthropology the anthropologist has a daunting task of determining age, population, ethnic group. These and other branches and subdivisions of anthropology have helped us to further our understanding of human nature and with more researches and field world carried out on a regular basis the future of even further understanding seems positive.   Ardener, E. (2004). Social Anthropology and Language. Kentucky: Routledge.   Delaney, C. (2004). Investigating culture: an experiential introduction to Anthropology. Massachusetts: Wiley Publishers.   Duranti, A. (2001). Linguistic anthropology. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell   Evans-Pritchard. (2004). Social Anthropology. Kentucky: Routledge. Katzenberg, M. Saunders, S. (2008). Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton. Massachusetts: John Wiley and Sons.   Schmitt, A. et al. (2006). Forensic anthropology and medicine. New Jersey: Humana Press Black, B. Wide world of anthropology embraces human nature Concordia Journal May 18, 2006 | Vol. 1, No. 14 http://www.aaanet.org/about/WhatisAnthropology.cfm American Anthropological Association http://physanth.org/ American Association of Physical Anthropologists http://www.eaps.nl/activities/wgcurr/anthropology.html Read More