Analysis of Philosophy and Anthropology by Clifford Geertz

Abstract

One of the most important anthropologists of the XX century is Clifford Geertz. Although many academics have said his work is nowadays unfashionable, the truth is his assertions are not deeply explored yet. Geertz's anthropological proposals cannot be understood without his philosophical assumptions, especially Wittgenstein and Ricouer's assertions. In that case, the explanation of this relationship should be able to clarify new paths for the humanities and the mutual comprehension between philosophy and anthropology. "Thick description" and "culture as a text" are concepts where this relationship is clear and profitable. This paper will try to show the background of these concepts in a new way. Hermeneutics implies a specific metaphysical point of view and cultural anthropology is impossible to work without philosophical hypothesis. Religion is the main concept needed in order to make this clear. Pain and suffering are, because of this, two nonsense ideas which appear in the human life, and the anthropological studies of Geertz to solve that relationship