The Self from Various Perspectives

LESSON 3: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ANTHROPOLOGY

I. Objectives

After successfully completing the lesson you should be able to differentiate concepts of

an individual's interaction in society, trace the origin of sociological ideas in the development of

self and analyze human behavior in different settings.

II. Topic Contents

ANTHROPOLOGY

A field of social sciences that focuses on the study of man. This does not pertain only to

one aspect of man (i.e. his mind or his environment) but rather on the totality of what it means to

be human.

This field looks into man’s physical/biological characteristics, his social relationships, and the

influences of his culture from the dawn of civilization up to the present. “What man is now, is a

product of his past”

Everything in anthropology is interconnected and a complete understanding is necessary

to achieve the goal of man understanding himself better. Four subfields of anthropology: ●

Archaeology;

● Linguistics;

● Biological Anthropology; and

● Cultural Anthropology,

which suggests that human beings are similar and very different at the same time. For instance,
people have the same need for food, water, and shelter but they differ on the ways/means of
how to acquire these for their satisfaction.

It is through these studies that people learn about themselves and about others around

them. Lately, people have come to realize that the similarities and diversities among them are

what makes life so interesting.

As one learns the facts/information that makes him similar to others, he will also know

the different characteristics that set him apart. This knowledge aims to further highlight the

beauty and uniqueness of each person thus making him value his life and existence even more.

THE FIELDS OF ANTHROPOLOGY

❖ Archaeology

Archaeologists’ focus on the past and how it may have contributed to the present ways

of how people conduct their daily lives. As a result, what archaeologists have so far discovered

are the unique ways in which human beings adapted to changes in their environment in order

for them to survive.

Man’s big brains have allowed them to think and look for ways to prolong their existence.

Their thoughts enabled their hands to fashion tools and weapons from the objects they find in

their environment. The tools and weapons that proved effective are used repeatedly and when

further improved made their life easier.

Archaeological data suggest that in many places around the world, the species

homosapiens did not become extinct because of their ability to think, use tools and learn from

experience. They have adapted and gained dominance over all of earth’s creatures.

These discoveries of archaeologists made people realize the important aspect of human

nature, which is survival. All around the world, people have struggled to survive and up to the

present, human behaviour, according to the School of Functionalism continues to adapt in order

to survive.

In this aspect, human beings are similar. The manner, however, that they choose to

survive differs. Some men would use power and strength, declare wars, conquer and even try to

annihilate races, while others would offer their services, knowledge, resources and even their

lives just to ensure that a few deserving human beings would survive. Indeed, people are so
similar and yet so different.

❖ Biological Anthropology

Focus primarily on how the human body adapts to different earth environments. They

look at the probable causes of disease, physical mutation and death. They also want to know

how human beings might have evolved from their early forms.

Biological Anthropologists also do comparative studies on human beings both dead and

living and other primates (apes and monkeys). They are interested in explaining how the

biological characteristics of human beings affect how they lived their lives. By studying people in

different places around the globe, these scientists have discovered that while human beings do

vary in their biological make-up and behaviour, there are a lot more similarities among them

than there are differences.

Human beings at present still share the same biological strengths and vulnerabilities. Ex.

Eating the right balance of nutrients from food and intake of minerals is beneficial to all human

beings while what may be lethal for one will most likely have the same effect on others.

Biological characteristics human beings share may earn for them complete dominion

over all earth creatures and at the same time be the cause of their extinction.

Ex. A cure during a pandemic (a cure effective for one may have similar effectson

others)

The virus, Anthrax (which is lethal for one will be as lethal for many).

❖ Linguistic Anthropology

Human survival is primarily linked to their ability to communicate. This is another

capability that resulted from big human brains. The brain comes equipped with specialized

areas specifically for the purpose of communication. In addition, an essential part of human

communication is language.

Language identifies a group of people. The words, sounds, symbols, writings and signs

that are used are reflections of a group’s culture. Linguistic anthropologists’ interest focuses on

using language as a means to discover a group’s manner of social interaction and his

worldview. These scientists want to discover how language is used to create and share
meanings, to form ideas and concepts and to promote social change.

Linguistic anthropologists also study how language and modes of communication

change over time. From the story of the Tower of Babel which provided an alternate view on

how language originated, it can be attested that through the centuries, the man had been

searching for ways in order for people of different languages to understand each other. This

resulted in a consensus of having a universal language which is English.

In contemporary society, other forms of language have evolved which represent the

subculture of a particular group. Examples of these are the terms used in social media and the

language of the LGBTs.

Looking at language from the perspective of an anthropologist shows how it is reflective

of the time and mode of thinking of the people using it. A language adapts to the existing

conditions in the society. As societies change and technologies develop so do the symbols and

meaning people attach to objects and events as expressed through the language that they use

and their manner of communicating.

❖ Cultural Anthropology

Culture is described as a group of people’s way of life. It includes their behaviours,

beliefs, values and symbols that they accept that are socially transmitted through

communication and imitation from generation to generation.

Cultural anthropologists are interested in knowing what makes one group’s manner of

living particular to that group and forms an essential part of the member’s personal and social

identity. Whether the individual admits it or not, he is a product of his culture.

The contention that culture has a strong impact on how the individual views himself is

known as the Theory of Cultural Determinism – Human nature is determined by the ideas,

meanings, beliefs, and values learned as members of society.

This is tantamount to saying that who or what a person is may be determined by the kindof

culture he is born into and grew up in. With the different cultures that exist not only in society but

all over the world, anthropologists suggest that there is no universal or right way of being human.

The right way is always

based on one’s culture. Since culture varies, there is no one wayof understanding human nature.

This theory has positive and negative implications:

further means that there is no limit placed on the human ability to be or to do whatever they

settheir minds and hearts into.

( – ) it may mean that people have no control over what they learn. They blindly accept the

learning their cultures expose them to. Human beings are seen as helpless and do only whattheir

culture instructs them to do. This places human nature under the mercy of his culture

Cultural diversities are manifested in different ways and at different levels of depth. Symbols are

considered the most superficial level of culture and values belong to the deepest level or are

considered the core of culture.

The following are the ways in which culture may manifest itself in people: 1. Symbols

o Are the words, gestures, pictures or objects that have a recognized/accepted meaning in a

particular culture. Symbols can be shared or copied by other cultures who find them also fitting

for their own culture.

Ex. Rings signify commitment

Colors have meanings that are similar in many cultures

o Are the persons from the past or present who have characteristics that are important in a

culture. They may be real or fictitious and are models for behaviour. Ex. Jose Rizal, Andres

Bonifacio, Spiderman, Darna

3. Rituals

o Are activities (maybe religious or social) participated in by a group of people forthe fulfillment

of desired objectives and are considered to be socially essential. Ex. Religious ceremonies like

baptisms and weddings

Social ceremonies like birthdays and graduations

4. Values

o Are considered to be the core of every culture. Values are unconscious and can neither be

discussed nor be directly observed but can only be inferred from theway people act and react to

circumstances and situations.

Ex. Respect for elders

, Hospitality Nationalism
In summary, the field of anthropology is yet another way by which a person can view himself. To

be added to his repertoire of perspectives, anthropology makes the person aware thatwhat he is

may be determined by his past and present condition, his biological characteristics, the way he

communicates, the language that he uses, and the manner in which he chooses to live his life.