On the objectivity of anthropology

pp. 144-151

in: I. C. Jarvie, Thinking about society, Berlin, Springer, 1986

Abstract

To raise sceptical doubts about the objectivity of the results of anthropology — or any other social science — is enough to tempt many people into offering a defense that is justificationist; which seeks, in other words, to make arguments that show anthropology is objective, which justify its claims. This strategy is doomed to defeat in the face of a determined sceptical assault. The only strategy which will avoid the trap¹ is one that goes on the offensive, which says "I hold anthropology to be as objective as any other science. If you do not, give me your arguments and I will try to answer them; I will not justify, and, if you agree anthropology is objective and merely want to see how I justify it, I will set aside your questions as idle." This will be my strategy here, and I apologise to those who would like to see a full-blooded justification of the claims of anthropology.