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What makes anthropologists study of culture different from those in other fields?

User Mobibob
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Final answer:

Anthropologists' study of culture is unique due to their holistic perspective and broad engagement with all aspects of human life across the four subfields of biological, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology. They aim to understand humanity in all its diversity, documenting different cultures from an insider's point of view.

Step-by-step explanation:

The study of culture by anthropologists is distinguished from other fields through their holistic approach and broad scope. Anthropologists are not confined to one discrete field of social life or physical phenomena but instead study the entirety of human experience across time and space. This cross-disciplinary method arises from the understanding that various realms of society are interconnected and that concentrating too narrowly might overlook larger influences. Anthropologists apply this comprehensive approach across four main subfields: biological anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Each of these subfields provides unique perspectives on human experience, from biological evolution and the use of artifacts to understand ancient societies, to the study of contemporary cultures and the roles of language. Furthermore, anthropologists are dedicated to capturing the insider's point of view, often requiring them to set aside their own preconceptions to truly understand and document the extraordinary process of human creativity and societal organization. Their interest extends to human biology, strategies for survival, sociocultural practices, all within an environment of continual change and adaptation. By celebrating human diversity, anthropologists contribute valuable insights into the ethnosphere, social organization, and the human condition.

User Robert Rouse
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