Analysis of Philosophy and Anthropology by Clifford Geertz

Authors

  • Enrique Anrubia Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera

Keywords:

Geertz, Hermeneutics, Metaphysics, Religion, Pain, Suffering

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

Author Biography

Enrique Anrubia, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera

Enrique Anrubia studied philosophy at the University of Navarra and University of Valencia and received his Ph.D. in philosophical anthropology from the Catholic University of Murcia where he taught symbolic anthropology and ethics. Currently, he is a professor at the University CEU Cardenal Herrera (Valencia), teaching philosophical anthropology. He has been a visiting scholar at the University of Oporto, Boston University, and University of Notre Dame. He has published as an author or editor more than six books on the philosophy of death and suffering, hermeneutics, and philosophy of culture. Nowadays, his research is focused preparing his new book, The Wounded and the Plea: A Philosophy on Consolation.

Published

2012-03-05

Issue

Section

Research articles