In essence, the quote expresses a concern about the broad scope and varied practices within anthropology, suggesting that there are so many different activities and methods under its umbrella that it can be difficult to pinpoint what exactly defines the field. Younger anthropologists, according to this view, might feel overwhelmed by the diversity of approaches and applications within anthropology, leading them to question whether everything falls neatly into a single coherent discipline.
The deeper meaning of this quote touches on the challenges faced by academic fields as they evolve and expand over time. As disciplines grow more complex and incorporate new methodologies and areas of study, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain clear boundaries or to agree upon what constitutes core principles versus peripheral applications. The statement also highlights the tension between those who advocate for a broad, inclusive definition of anthropology and those who prefer stricter definitions to preserve its integrity and identity. This debate is not unique to anthropology but reflects broader questions in academia about specialization versus integration.
Clifford Geertz was an influential American anthropologist known for his work on interpretive anthropology. His ideas have significantly shaped the way scholars understand culture, religion, and symbolic systems within societies around the world. Through extensive fieldwork in places like Indonesia and Morocco, Geertz developed a nuanced approach to studying cultural phenomena that emphasized understanding from the perspective of those being studied.
