Anthropological Epistemologies

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 49, S. 333-343

Abstract

An analysis of anthropology's epistemology reveals that the importance attributed to the discipline's foundation in ethnographic fieldwork has been challenged as members of the studied marginalized societies read & critique anthropological texts produced about their respective cultures. The expansion of anthropology's audience has led marginalized societies to hope that anthropological writings may faithfully represent cultures according to local constructions. In addition, issues regarding the significance of regions to the definition of epistemology, developing a reflexive study of the diversity of anthropological genres, viewing language as a dominant metaphor, & translating cultural practices into the language of the anthropologist are discussed. It is concluded that anthropology is differentiated from other methods of social scientific analysis by its relationship to theory, since anthropology privileges practical theory over theoretical practice. 3 Illustrations, 24 References. Adapted from the source document.