This lead is to the four sub fields of anthropology which are linguistic, cultural, physical, and archaeological. Linguistic anthropology is the study of the human language, the development and uses of language, and the differences and similarities between the different languages used by humans. It also involves writings and body language in different cultures. Cultural anthropology, the field we are studying now, devotes itself to the culture humans create. The everyday life and behavior of humans. Cultural anthropology explores humans culture and their learned behaviors. The study of cultures is done through observation and participation, by immersing oneself in another culture and society. In learning about ones culture, deals not only with behavior, but what is past down from generation to generation, it asks, what do you belief? Why do you belief what you belief? and how have you acquired that belief? without judgement. The two other sub fields of anthropology are Physical and archaeological. Physical is the more biological aspect of the study of humans, dealing with the evolution of the humans, about the human body. Its is scientifically based. Archaeological anthropology, studies the past, unlike cultural anthropology the finds importance and relevance in the present. Archaeologist use physical evidence, artifacts, left over from those before us to create theories, and piece puzzles together.
Now, although there are different sub fields, and concentrations for anthropologists to study, there are general principles that tie them together. Being holistic, is a general principle. It means making connections to understand its integration. Seeing how things work together as an interconnected whole, that each sub field of anthropology cannot stand on its own, and other subjects, like history, science, literature, do not stand on their own, but can work together to have a better understanding of the workings of each. They can be considered open systems. This idea leads into the idea of anthropology as global. No one thing is more important than another because of its location, but they study globally, to get that holistic, open view of the the world.
Anthropology is comparative, this idea is important, because it helps you to look at things in a different life. Being comparative helps to understand why people do things and how others do it in comparison. It is not to pass judgement on other, it only helps to make the familiar strange and make the strange familiar. To make judgements, closes your mind and block your understandings of other people. Anthropology is empirical, it is based on experience and direct observation, immersing oneself. Anthropologist go out into the fields they are studying to understand and learn. It is also relative. Because each is an individual, that has their own culture and beliefs. But that cannot effect how one sees another culture. Anthropologist must remember, that the culture and ideals they hold, the person they are studying feels the same about their culture and beliefs.
Anthropology is extremely important in our world today. As an international relations major, I learn about governments, economics, how these systems relate to each other. How religion and cultures can effect these relations. Anthropology makes trying to understand relations easier and more profound. It allows you to step outside and observe and analyze and understand, without judgement, then you can make a more educated theory, on a person or government, because you can know what things mean to other cultures. Cultures are so different, but today in a globalized world, you cannot ignore it. To be educated on another person and make them more human and similar to you can help to encourage peace and compatibility. If you cannot understand why someone does what they do, and if you alienate someone from yourself, it is easier to hate them, because they seem so different from you, so alien. But if you can realize the connection we all have as human beings, people from across the world do not seem like an enemy or an alien, but a brother or sister.
