Body Ritual among the Nacirema
Horace Miner
Sociology: the study of society
• Traditional methods of investigation include
emperical/statistics and observation
• Positivism vs. anti-positivism:
– Positivism relies on empiricism and the scientific
method for research and understanding
– Antipositivism uses critical analysis (is empericism & or
statistics critical?) to make sense of observations
Question: which of the above methods could lead
to cultural bias? Explain.
Body Ritual among the Nacirema
Horace Miner
“Our review of the ritual life of the Nacirema has
certainly shown them to be a magic-ridden people.
It is hard to understand how they have managed to
exist so long under the burdens which they have
imposed upon themselves. But even such exotic
customs as these….”
Do you agree with this? Explain.
(two paragraphs min.)
Body Ritual among the Nacirema
Horace Miner
(quote from Malinowski, 1948)
“Looking from far and above, from our high places
of safety in the developed civilization, it is easy to
see all the crudity and irrelevance of magic. But
without its power and guidance early man could not
have mastered his practical difficulties as he has
done, nor could man have advanced to the higher
stages of civilization”
Body Ritual among the Nacirema
Horace Miner
Discuss what this quote means. How does the
quote relate to the Nacirema. And, why do you
think Miner wrote his article in the manner he did
(meaning, trying to hide the fact that he is
studying us).
(two paragraphs min.)
Body Ritual among the Nacirema
Horace Miner
Non-specific vocabulary words from reading:
mythology
ritual
debility
ceremony
shrines
rites
initiate
etc., …I found another 25 words that are suspect and
you need to know… make your own list and we will
share/discuss and create a list for the class.