Epistle to the Anthropologists

Abstract

This paper addresses itself to two problems: first, is there a crisis in anthropology; second, if there is, what caused it and what will resolve it. As a springboard for discussion, we look at the allegation of crisis and its diagnosis that has come from anthropologists of a phenomenological or “critical theory” persuasion. While agreeing with them that there is a crisis, the paper attributes it to theoretical stagnation, not to the influence of “positivism.” A possible cure for theoretical stagnation is seen in critical reflection on the history of anthropology, and especially in coming to terms with the continuities (or lack of them) between its present concerns and those of the tradition of inquiry to which it belongs.

Lack of theoretical progress, among other things, indicates a genuine intellectual crisis in anthropology. Previously, the author advocated a more consciously critical and falsificationist set of methodological rules as a remedy. Fabian has shown that this is not sufficient. He argues that there is an uncritical positivism built-in to anthropology, which leads to ontological, epistemological, and moral error. Metaphysics as well as method needs rectification. The paper urges doing this by rebuilding links to the broad philosophical concerns out of which anthropological theory grew.

Earlier version of this paper were read to anthropology seminars at McMaster University (February 28, 1974), at York University (March 8, 1974), and at the State University of New York at Buffalo (March 14, 1974)