The concept of progress has received limited attention in contemporary anthropology. The discipline has traditionally focused on critiquing positivist notions of linear progress and advocating for the epistemological autonomy of diverse cultures in opposition to universalist philosophies of history. However, this focus has occasionally led anthropology to adopt forms of "cultural pessimism" and anti-modernism, particularly within postcolonial approaches, where progress is often equated with a byproduct of capitalist and imperialist domination. This essay, engaging with the perspectives of S. Pinker, D. Graeber, and D. Wengrow, argues that anthropology must confront the challenge of qualitatively evaluating cultures. Such evaluations should be grounded in universally shared criteria, including scientific progress, the rational pursuit of knowledge, the promotion of material well-being and security, and the reduction of violence and inequality in social life.

Antropologia e progresso

Fabio Dei
2024-01-01

Abstract

The concept of progress has received limited attention in contemporary anthropology. The discipline has traditionally focused on critiquing positivist notions of linear progress and advocating for the epistemological autonomy of diverse cultures in opposition to universalist philosophies of history. However, this focus has occasionally led anthropology to adopt forms of "cultural pessimism" and anti-modernism, particularly within postcolonial approaches, where progress is often equated with a byproduct of capitalist and imperialist domination. This essay, engaging with the perspectives of S. Pinker, D. Graeber, and D. Wengrow, argues that anthropology must confront the challenge of qualitatively evaluating cultures. Such evaluations should be grounded in universally shared criteria, including scientific progress, the rational pursuit of knowledge, the promotion of material well-being and security, and the reduction of violence and inequality in social life.
2024
Dei, Fabio
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/1281004
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