Repository | Book | Chapter
(2002) On human nature, Dordrecht, Springer.
Human cultures' natures
critical considerations and some perspectives of culturalist anthropology
Mathias Gutmann
pp. 195-240
At the first glance "anthropology" seems to be a scientific discipline comparable to other scientific disciplines such as physiology or genetics. From this point of view the subject-matter of anthropology resembles some important features of the "objects' that are investigated by "classical" sciences. Assuming this general similitude the unity of anthropology can be defined in terms of its subject-matter or in terms of the methods applied. In both cases one is confronted with a great variety of "anthropologies". The spectrum reaches from genetic, medical and ecological approaches, to ethological, cultural and philosophical approaches. Further differences within the field of cultural studies can be added, such as economic and even ethical concepts of human being. If a unity of anthropology were assumed despite this variety of disciplines, it would appear that a convergence of reference must be supposed. This convergence is usually substantiated supposing "culture-invariant" aspects or properties of human beings. For this reason, the description of humans often refers to biological knowledge. As a consequence it seems undoubted that humans are humane by nature.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-50023-7_14
Full citation:
Gutmann, M. (2002)., Human cultures' natures: critical considerations and some perspectives of culturalist anthropology, in A. Grunwald, M. Gutmann & E. Neumann-Held (eds.), On human nature, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 195-240.
This document is unfortunately not available for download at the moment.