Anthropology
and
Moral Optimism
Ideas and inspiration from
Michel-Rolph Trouillot,
Global Transformations
In memoriam, 1949-2012
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Optimism and Pessimism
 Seem like opposites, but
 More of one does not mean less of the other
 Reducing one does not increase the other
 Need both
 Antonio Gramsci called for “pessimism of
the intellect, optimism of the will”: realistic
knowledge of the world, but resilient hope
and understanding that things can be
different
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Hope
 Hope is most important when things
are going badly in the world; in the
face of almost certain destruction,
hope is a Gramscian optimism of the
will. Such “unrealistic” hope begins in
considering the possibility that tiny
cracks might yet break open the dam.
 Anna Tsing, Friction (2005:267)
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Why do biological
anthropologists
 Measure hormonal levels for longitudinal
data
 “Mothers and Others”
 Meticulously document baboon grooming
 “What are Friends For?”
 Measure height and nutrition for the Maya
of Guatemala
 “The Tall and the Short of It”
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Why do archaeologists
 Sift through garbage and food waste
 “Clean Your Plate”
 Excavate terraces in the Bolivian Altiplano
 “The Secrets of Ancient Tiawanaku”
 Investigate plantation records and
knickknacks
 “The Challenge of Race to American Historical
Archaeology”
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Why do socio-cultural
anthropologists
 Scour historical accounts for references to
“berdache”
 “Strange Country This”
 Study texting in Zimbabwe
 “Cell phones, Sharing, and Social Status in an
African Society”
 Keep doing fieldwork in the Middle East
 “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?”
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Why do linguistic
anthropologists
 Sit in silence with the Apache
 “To Give up on Words”
 Record the talk of boys and girls
 “Talk in the Intimate Relationship”
 Decipher sign language among the
Bedouin
 “Village of the Deaf”
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
Not just arcane facts…
Not a retreat or refuge…
Anthropology
 a counter-punctual dialogue with
Western power
 challenges assumptions to effect
change
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
(1) You have suggested that humans
are by nature selfish and greedy;
(2) I will show you fundamental
human empathy and altruism;
(3) So that you and I can think of
ways to include human values as
part of our economic concerns.
(1) You have said that inequality and
hierarchy is inevitable;
(2) I will show you cooperation and
solidarity;
(3) So that you and I can work
together against the harmful
effects of pronounced inequality.
(1) You have claimed short-term
profit concerns must be
followed;
(2) I will show you ancient
technologies with long-range
dynamism and sustainability;
(3) So that you and I can work
toward the long-term health of
the planet we share.
(1) You say capitalism produces
progress everywhere;
(2) I will show you the underside of
capitalist development, at home
and abroad;
(3) So that you and I can be more
realistic about addressing issues
of poverty and inequality.
(1) You have said that capitalist
globalization is invincible;
(2) I will show you resistance,
appropriation, and
transformation;
(3) So that you and I can envision a
future not driven by sheer
accumulation.
(1) You have suggested that
biological race determines
behavior;
(2) I will show you that beliefs,
attitudes, and behaviors vary
within and across racial lines;
(3) So that you and I can envision a
future where one race does not
dominate another.
(1) You have argued that
heterosexual monogamy has a
biological basis;
(2) I will show you a range of
successful marriages and
families;
(3) So that you and I can envision a
future where individuals and
families are not persecuted.
(1) You have suggested that gender
inequality is ancient and
enduring;
(2) I will show you an astounding
range of gender arrangements;
(3) So that you and I can work
toward gender equality.
(1) You have argued that human
violence is inevitable;
(2) I will show you the potential for
human kindness and
compassion, within and across
borders;
(3) So that you and I can envision a
future where conflict does not
lead to bloodshed.
(1) You have said we need to use
military might to liberate
oppressed peoples;
(2) I will show you that people do not
necessarily think they need
“liberation”;
(3) So that you and I can more
carefully consider how and when
to intervene.
• At the end of the day
• Futures murky
• Utopias just lost innocence
• Seize “moral optimism” of
anthropology
• But not naïve liberalism
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
THE ANTHROPOLOGY SONG:
A LITTLE BIT ANTHROPOLOGIST
http://youtu.be/LHv6rw6wxJY
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
• Choose moral optimism and
hang onto it
• Not because naïve—can’t afford
naïveté
• We choose this side of humanity
• Alternatives are lousy
• Anthropology is best way to show
• Human richness and variability
©2012-2013 Living Anthropologically
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