The Scope and Function of Anthropology

Abstract

Throughout the world, every country, school of thought, and scholar has its own definition of "anthropology." The simplest, however, and the one most broadly acknowledged, is that it is "the science of the study of Man." Nevertheless, there are just too many sciences that are involved in the study of people, such as medical science, biology, history, economics, and sociology, and all are in one way or another studies of human beings. Moreover, each field of science has its own scientific system [of inquiry]. If anthropology is to be so elective and all-inclusive, then it is inevitable that it would become tantamount to not having anthropology at all. Moreover, such an all-embracing definition would perhaps not be acceptable to scholars in those many fields and sciences. Therefore, we need to be clear on the connotations of anthropology itself, on the objectives and subject matter of its study, its scope, and where its emphases lie. Otherwise we will create confusion and perhaps even find ourselves in a si...