... Intellectual adolescence. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
This covers a wide expanse of nonsense, but I particularly liked this: "Louise Lamphere ... a past president of the American Anthropological Association, claims that there is an 'urgent need' for an 'engaged anthropology,' within which moral commitment trumps impersonal scientific concern ..." Exactly what is her moral certainty grounded in, I wonder.
Frank, as an anthropologist (B.A. in anthro from University of New Mexico, and one-time student-member of AAA), I find myself wondering at that comment as well.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, I would have reversed it, or turned it inside-out in some way ..... 'within which impersonal scientific concern trumps moral commitment' ..... or, 'within which impersonal scientific concern is an expression of our moral commitment' .....
I, myself, woulf prefer my second suggestion ..... I see some room for abuse in my first suggestion.
On an unrelated note, thanks for the reminder about Heinlein's centennial, a few weeks back ..... just finished re-reading "Starship Troopers" to celebrate the occasion!