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The ownership of culture: reconciling our common and separate heritages
Author(s) -
Stone Jonathan
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
archaeology in oceania
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1834-4453
pISSN - 0728-4896
DOI - 10.1002/j.1834-4453.1992.tb00300.x
Subject(s) - vision , criticism , sociology , focus (optics) , epistemology , cultural anthropology , anthropology , environmental ethics , social science , law , political science , philosophy , physics , optics
Physical anthropology is a young branch of science, but of enormous interest and achievement. With other aspects of anthropology, however, it has become the focus of criticism voiced by those whose history and traditions are the objects of its study. A resolution of this tension requires an understanding both of the scientific tradition criticised, and the social traditions which are the source of criticism. Ideas are canvassed which suggest that this conflict is a contemporary instance of a long tension between science – unpredictable, uncaring yet powerful – and the hopes which give rise to our great social visions and traditions. In particular it is argued that the criticism of anthropology is an extension of the contemporary advocacy of human rights. It is suggested that the resolution of the conflict may also emerge from the concept of human rights, in particular from the idea of a common human family, inherent in that concept.