How Anthropology was Turned from Intellectual Discipline into Political Activism

George Leef

Among the numerous academic disciplines that have been overrun with political activism is anthropology. In this week's Pope Center Clarion Call essay, emeritus professor Glynn Custred laments the way his discipline (at least a large part of it) has been subverted by militants who don't want anthropologists to do any work that might cause people to doubt cherished "progressive" notions. He also discusses the shameful treatment of the well-known anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon, who had to endure the academic equivalent of a lynch mob for many years.

 

 

 

Image: Library of Ephesus by Chance Layton // CC

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