Is anthropology a science, and does it matter?
Francis Sedgemore, Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 13:08 UTC
I have no knowledge of the internal politics of the American Anthropological Association, or the reason behind the organisation’s recent decision to “exclude from its new long-range plan the description of anthropology as a science”. Whatever the rationale, Norman Geras is right to describe the move as retrograde.
Anthropology is in its broadest aspect the scholarly study of humanity, and in particular the origins and social relationships of our species. It is a cross-disciplinary field, taking in zoology, evolution, ecology, archaeology and the humanities (or social sciences, if you will). With anthropology you cannot consider any of these sub-topics in isolation, and the end result is undoubtedly scientific. Whether it is natural, social or a combination of the two is neither here nor there. But however one defines anthropology, it is a fascinating field of study, and makes for some of the most exciting popular science in broadcast media and print.
Is the American Anthropological Association going all theological on us? To do so would be a distraction from the pursuit of anthropological knowledge, whether it be scientific or cultural.
Feed the writer! 
Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 13:21 UTC
I wouldn’t argue with the formidable team combined of you and Norm. But if I am allowed to express a wish, and you will easily guess where it comes from: I pray that this Oxford dictionary definition be split in two, with the last two bullets dealing with accumulation of knowledge split under some new title.
I know, and you know it much better, what profound effect this change could have on many aspects of science, education for scientific work, funding etc.
Oh, and let’s not forget demagoguery, self-inflation and other side effects of the current confusion of that term.
Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 13:32 UTC
Methinks egotists are best left to their own devices.
Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 13:57 UTC
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Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 18:52 UTC
A curious move in my view. At least it isn’t the physicists doing this!
Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 22:23 UTC
True; the physicists are too busy bitching about their immediate research competitors.