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Which anthropologist called for a moratorium on theorizing

User Nikolay DS
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Final answer:

Anthropological theory has evolved over time, with early theorists like Tylor advancing unilineal evolution and later critics like Geertz and Boas promoting more nuanced understandings of cultural development. Boas emphasized the importance of direct ethnographic research, while feminist anthropologists brought attention to women's perspectives. Cultural relativism 2.0 represents the current approach of deferring judgment and seeking broader understanding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the field of anthropology, focusing on a call for a moratorium on theorizing within the discipline. Historically, theorists like Edward Tylor proposed evolutionary schemes, suggesting cultures evolved from 'savagery' to 'civilization', which were criticized for their ethnocentric underpinnings. Clifford Geertz, an interpretive anthropologist, recognized the challenges and changes anthropology faced moving into the 21st century, while other anthropologists, such as Franz Boas, argued against unilineal evolution, emphasizing the unique historical trajectory of each culture. Boas was crucial in shifting the methodological focus towards obtaining ethnographical information directly from the people being studied, rather than through previously published accounts.

Feminist anthropologists in the 1970s critiqued mainstream anthropology for overlooking women's roles and voices, leading to the formation of an 'anthropology of women'. Moreover, as Michael Brown articulated, the modern approach of cultural relativism 2.0 involves listening and seeking a wider understanding before making judgments, reflecting a call for more empathetic and less presumptive research practices in anthropology.

User David Findlay
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