First day of Cultural Anthropology

How does the identification of cultural universals impact our understanding of what it means to be human?  

    Hypothetically, the identification of any number of universally shared values should create empathy, compassion and ultimately prevent war. But here is the tricky thing about language; words once grouped together, do not always say (just) what their individual definitions imply.  Sometimes the words spoken convey the exact opposite message. In this instance of 'identifying cultural universals', we back into ‘The’ culture qualified to determine what ‘universal’ is. The culture capable of stepping outside of its own influences and biases to achieve the objectivity necessary to see a common thread has thus elevated itself above the confines of culture. The message implied (though perhaps not intended) is hierarchy, superiority and ethnocentrism. ‘Do you think just like me or do I think just like you?’ In short, the quest to identify cultural universals creates a monopoly on defining what it is to be human. Who are these super humans that can shake the membrane of their own miniscule experience to define the whole? But the class is just getting started. I may be wrong.

 How does the search for universals help us better understand human cultural behavior?

      I think universals as a preconceived notion is a hindrance. The more we know, the less we see. If the canvases of our minds come with a work of Da Vinci printed, pre-approved as the universal model, could it alter, affect our ability to appreciate any patterns which he did not conceive? 

 What examples from your own culture can illustrate the ideas that our behaviors are impacted by our culture more than our biology?

     Ok. Shall we be honest about the biological demands our bodies make on us or shall we ,for the sake of academic propriety, fail to mention the horniness biological readiness that leads to teen pregnancy? We approach the phenomenon like an epidemic that has long plagued humanity. In fact the new cultural criteria that says  two parents should be financially ready(whatever that means) to nurture a child or children, is getting it’s behind kicked by nature's full proof hormonal overload plan. Wait, I do have an example of culture choking biology: Returning to work when my son was only three months old. It was devastating. In fact it still is. I feel I failed my son, by not by being present for him as he came to know an entirely new world. My body screamed, ‘Quit that job, this is your new job.” But cultural norms won that day.

    

‘Cultural anthropology is the comparative study of human cultures with the objective of deepening our understanding of the human condition’. (Nowak, B. & Laird, P.,2010) I respect the ambition, but isn’t it true that what we see is based largely on who we are. We bring our biases, our convictions, our beauty and shame to every experiment, to think that we can define humanity for every human is arrogant, maybe even detrimental.

Is it too late for Cultural Anthropology to become the collaborative study of human nature with the objective of achieveing respect?

Reference

Nowak, B., & Laird, P. (2010). Cultural anthropology. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc.    https://content.ashford.edu