I get asked this question quite a lot and I always give the same answer: humility. Now, there are many qualities that I think are helpful in being a good anthropologist but I believe, in some sense, humility captures many …
What is the most important quality I need to be an anthropologist? Read more »
This is a question that came in a while ago from an anonymous undergrad, one which we encourage you to answer or discuss in the comment section below. It is one that I answer a lot with students as well …
What is the difference between Anthropology and Sociology? Read more »
Many of you have learned about the unsettling events taking place in Belize, which have become particularly visible in relation to the village of Santa Cruz in the Toledo district the past two weeks. I have been asked to offer …
We thought it only fitting to open this column with the question that created the spark that was to grow into the collaboration that cool anthropology is today. In 2004, a few days after the end of the introductory anthropology …
Do you think humans can play a role in driving their own evolution through sheer will? Read more »
Offering my time and vehicle for a service that I didn’t support proved to be a dilemma for me. I’ve given you four choices that I considered before I made my decision. Pick the option that best fits your ethical philosophy and see if you come to the same conclusion as I did. Leave a comment below if you have an/other idea/s!
Deciding whether or not to publicly support an important cause proved to be a dilemma for me. I’ve given you four choices that I considered before I made my decision. Pick the option that best fits your ethical philosophy and see if you come to the same conclusion as I did. Leave a comment below if you have an/other idea/s!
If I give a ride to this family, how do I choose who to give rides to and what reasons are justified for me to spend hours driving? By choosing not to give the ride, I neither condone nor condemn birthing in the hospital- I stay out of the conversation and disrupt the normal pattern of life as little as possible. I have more time for my research and I allow access to medical birthing to proceed as it would if I were not there. But is this really an ethical choice? How will I feel if something happens to the baby and I might have helped prevent it?
Choosing this option, I stay true to my personal beliefs that the members of the community should, as a general rule, continue to give birth in a safer environment which, in most cases, is the home. I am transparent with the community members by telling them why I am declining to give them a ride. But is doing the ‘right’ thing according to my belief system really the most ethical choice?
By choosing this option, I am able to give my friend and informant what he has asked for in terms of help but I still am able to express my opinion about what I think is a viable alternative. By leaving the ultimate decision up to him, I value his reasoning and remain humble in terms of expressing my opinion- as well as engaging in potentially beneficial reciprocity. But am I really choosing the most beneficial response for all concerned? What about my own ethical guide?
By choosing this option, I show humility and deference- simply facilitating the wishes of the family. I, in one sense, show that I am the impartial researcher, simply observing what is happening while still offering a little help in redressing the issues of access that are present. I please the members of the community by giving freely of my resources and seem supportive of their choices. Something just doesn’t seem quite right, however. Why do I feel like I should be doing more to stop this? Is this the most ethical choice?