The Importance Of Ethics In Anthropology

970 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Culture in anthropology

Cultural anthropologists must maintain a certain ethical demeanor when conducting fieldwork. This method of investigation engages cultural anthropologists in long-term interactions with people of various societies, and allows them to participate in everyday rituals and routines with those that they are observing. Through the utilization of this method, cultural anthropologists gain information and come to a greater understanding of their target population’s culture. Unfortunately, ethical concerns often arise through this method of study, for there are rules that must be followed when engaging in fieldwork. The Human Terrain System joins Anthropologists with the military to gain insight about local populations, but occasionally ethical standards …show more content…

These types of actions are contested on whether or not they are following the ethical code of conduct as outlined by the American Anthropological Association (AAA). The ethnographic method of research, involves a cultural anthropologist integrating themselves within their target population, with the aim of collecting data about the local customs, economics and politics (Online Ethics 2013). These groups of anthropologists relay the data that they have collected to military superiors, who will then use the obtained information for counterinsurgency strategy in the Middle East (Online Ethics 2013). Many spectators are opposed to the idea of anthropologists conducting fieldwork with such poor ethical structure. The American Anthropological Association reported on the matter stating, “ethnographic investigation is determined by military missions, not subject to external review, where data collection occurs in the context of war, integrated into the goals of counterinsurgency, and in a potentially coercive environment […] it can no longer be considered a legitimate professional exercise of anthropology” (Kolowich 2009). Anthropologists performing this kind of fieldwork risk their lives in order to acquire this information, which neglects their right to protection in their occupation (Online Ethics 2013). Evidently, the HTS not following these guidelines set in place by the AAA presents an issue for all anthropologists associated with this

Show More
Related

  • 30 000 Skeletons Analysis

    534 Words  | 2 Pages

    “This is my lab and what we do is study bones,” states Kari Bruwelheide in her video entitled “30,000 Skeletons”. Of the three resources that we were provided, “Puzzles of the Chesapeake” by Sally Walker, “Forensic Anthropology” by an unknown author, and “30,000 Skeletons” by Smithsonian Education presented by Kari Bruwelheide, the resource “30,000 Skeletons” is by far the best at explaining the role of an anthropologist. It is unbeatable because it is a video rather than just written words, and Kari Bruwelheide has personal experience in being a forensic anthropologist. A forensic anthropologist is a scientist that studies human remains, or in another word, skeletons, to try to find out information about the past.

    Read More

  • The Unethical Nature of Operation Iron Triangle

    925 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Kill Company is an article written by Raffi Khatchadourian that provides some insights into the situation within the unit leading up to Operation Iron Triangle. The article highlights several issues that led to the unethical command climate; this paper will identify five and explain how they led to the unethical command climate. First, the Rakkasans were not doing Arab cultural awareness during their training exercises. This lack of exposure to the Arab culture l...

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Barbara Gallatin Anderson's 'Around The World In 30 Years'

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    In her book Around the World in 30 Years, Barbara Gallatin Anderson presents a convincing and precise representation of the many aspects that go into the being a cultural anthropologist. Her visually impacting story follows her around the world throughout her personal career. The attention to detail and thorough explanations make the reader feel as though they too are an anthropologist. Anderson uses a unique structure of information throughout the chapters of her book. An example of this is found towards the beginning: “In this, as in many other anthropological issues, fieldwork is to theory as air is to fire, illuminating the enticing scope of culture’s complexity.

    Read More

  • The Moral and Ethical Dilemmas of Anthropology

    1242 Words  | 3 Pages

    The world of anthropology is tightly woven into research of humans and their cultures. One of the most important principles of the Code of Ethics of the American Anthropological Association (AAA) is found in Part III, Section A, Number 1: “Anthropological researchers have primary ethical obligations to the people, species, and materials they study and to the people with whom they work.” (American Anthropological Association, 2009) This main principle helps to guide social scientists through a maze of ethical dilemmas such as if and how the research itself may harm or otherwise impact those with whom they are studying. While the purpose of the research may be to gain knowledge of the plight of a certain individual or group of individuals, by the extension of the sharing of this knowledge the person or persons being studied may draw unwanted attention. By utilizing the Code of Ethics, the framework has been established so that the researcher is guided “to consult actively with...

    Read More

  • Participant Observation in Anthropology

    1760 Words  | 4 Pages

    One of the major advantages of participant observation is the ability of the anthropologist to gain access to events, locations and intimate situations where outside observers would not be allowed. DeMunk and Sobo (1998) describe some benefits of the observation method over alternative methods of anthropological data collection including the fact that it allows admission to the “backstage culture” (DeMunk and Sobo 1998 p.43), it allows for intimately detailed description, and provides the anthropologist with opportunities to be a part of all events. DeWalt and DeWalt (2002 p.92) also suggest that it increases the quality of the data that has been collected and the interpretation of the anthropologist, as well as analysis of that data and assisting in the development of new research questions and hypotheses. However, DeMunk and Sobo (1998) also address some disadvantages of using the particip...

    Read More

  • Forensics Anthropology

    812 Words  | 2 Pages

    Anthropology is a study of mankind that goes beyond the fragment of ones skeletal remains. Anthropology Studies involved within this science include the culture and surroundings a person once lived in.Anthropology, (2014) A example scientist often conduct archaeological digs. Their findings reveal many different aspects of that person or person’s life. The weather a person could have been exposed to. The environment or activities that person might have participated in. The scope of life that can be recovered from human remains is astonishing. Forensic Science as a whole is an impressive and interesting science that can be used within many different realms.

    Read More

  • Application Of Forensic Anthropology

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Anthropology is the science which tells us that people are the same the whole world over - except when they are different.” Nancy Banks Smith, british television critic. Anthropology is the study of what makes us human and how/why we interact the way we do. Anthropologists take a broad approach to understanding the many different aspects of the human body (site). More specifically, forensic anthropology is the examination of human remains for law enforcement agencies to determine the identity and cause of death in unidentified bones. Although being a real forensic anthropologist is not quite like being Temperance Brennan from Bones, there are many needs and uses for forensic anthropologists in not just the police force, but even in military

    Read More

  • Ethics, Ethics And The Virtue Of Ethics

    1273 Words  | 3 Pages

    Virtue of Ethics. Virtue of ethics is based on principles and the virtues of individuals. This approach is based or featured on the individual rather than the actions a person takes. It focuses on the “virtue and moral character of the individual or person performing the action” (Rachel’s & Rachel’s, 2015, p. 159). “Duties” and “rules” are not the focus to this approach as like with the deontological approach (Rachel’s & Rachel’s, 2015, p. 159-160). It also does not focus on the consequences of action like the consequentialist approach does when it comes to ethics. It does however, still consider and focus on whether the action is right or wrong. The virtue of ethics is more of a “guide of characteristics and behaviors” of how an individual

    Read More

  • Philosophy: Ethics and Morality

    2484 Words  | 5 Pages

    Whether put simply or scrutinized, morality cannot be defined simply by looking at it from one or two perspectives. One must acknowledge the fact that there are several different factors that affect judgment between “right” and “wrong”. Only after taking into account everything that could possibly change the definition of righteousness can one begin to define morality. Harriet Baber, a professor at San Diego State University, defines morality as “the system through which we determine right and wrong conduct”. Baber refers to morality as a process or method when she calls it a “system”. In saying “we” she then means to say that this concept does not only apply to her but also to everyone else. Through morality, according to her, one can look at an action, idea, or situation and determine its righteousness and its consequences.

    Read More

  • Forensic Anthropology Research Paper

    788 Words  | 2 Pages

    The field of forensic anthropology is a sub-field of physical anthropology, which is the study of the evolutionary changes of human anatomy and philosophy. The only difference between the two; physical and forensic anthropology, is that forensic anthropology uses the processes of physical anthropology to help solve criminal cases. After the gangland murders of the 1930’s was the first time the FBI used assistance from physical anthropologists. The field of anthropology was originally dominated by ethnologists and archeologists (Golda 1), eventually physical anthropology became more well-known and branched open to create a new, important profession: forensic anthropology. Trained forensic anthropologists can identify gender, ethnicity, age, illness, pregnancies, and even possibly careers; using techniques that archeologists tend to prefer (“Forensic

    Read More

  • Anthropology And Anthropology

    1667 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are four subfields of anthropological study: physical/ biological, social/cultural, linguistic, and archaeology. Physical or biological anthropology involves the study of human variation from the beginning of time. This also includes the study of primates. Social or cultural anthropology involves the study of living human culture and society from a cross cultural perspective. Linguistic anthropology is the study of human language and how every language may have distinct relationships with each other. Archaeology is the study of physical remains through excavation to research human culture in the past. This paper will explore forensic anthropology, medical anthropology, and cultural

    Read More

  • Human Archaeological Ethical Issues

    257 Words  | 1 Pages

    I wish to explore the ethical issue of human archaeological remains and the problems with the treatment and claims to these remains by various parties. Expanding on that I want to look at various academic’s opinions, specifically in the Archaeology sphere, of what should be done when living humans stake a claim on the ancient dead. I would also then like to look at how various tribes deal with and interact with the archaeological community in terms of remains, and even how they interact with each other if there are opposing claims.

    Read More

  • Essay On Cultural Anthropology

    1093 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American Anthropological Association 's (AAA) aim is to offer guidelines and promote education and discussion. American anthropologists do this often by speaking and interacting with individuals living and experiencing the culture. Truly understanding, learning, and becoming accustomed to a new cultural environment takes a significantly long period of time, perhaps even years of exposure to the culture in order to truly understand traditions, morals, and customs. For instance in the Shostak`s study on the !Kung people, it was important for the researchers to say words correctly, at appropriate times, and in a culturally accepted manner, in addition, in order to interview individuals, specifically women, the anthropologist would ask one to “enter work” with her and they would talk for an hour or a day, or over a long period of time, perhaps two weeks. When studying another culture, American anthropologists include host country colleagues in their research planning and when requesting funding, establish true collaborative relationships, include host country colleagues in dissemination, including publication, and they also ensure that something is given back to the host. When studying other countries, the process is done carefully and thoughtfully, in order to end the study with new information on a culture and to establish new connections

    Read More

  • Ethics for the 21st Century

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rushworth M. Kidder has done a remarkable thing; he has assembled from all over the globe the answers of people to this question: "If you could help create a global code of ethics, what would be on it?" This act is so remarkable because he has taken the time to gather the opinions of twenty-four individuals from sixteen nations to create a global forum. What strikes me the most about his study is that the interviewees were not heads of state. They were average people viewed by their communities as ethical leaders. Kidder compiled their thoughts into a list of moral standards for the twenty-first century in his essay " Universal Human Values: Finding an Ethical Common Ground." I agree with his list of standards: love, truthfulness, fairness, freedom, unity, tolerance, responsibility and above all respect for life.

    Read More

  • Ethics in the Modern World

    1524 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethics is a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy which defines what is acceptable for both individuals and society. It is a philosophy that covers a whole range of things that have an importance in everyday situations. Ethics are vital in everyones lives, it includes human values, and how to have a good life, our rights and responsibilities, moral decisions what is right and wrong, good and bad. Moral principles affect how people make decisions and lead their lives (BBC, 2013). There are many different beliefs about were ethics come from. These consist of; God and Religion, human conscience, the example of good human beings and a huge desire for the best for people in each unique situation, and political power (BBC, 2013).

    Read More

More about The Importance Of Ethics In Anthropology

Open Document