Godfrey Lienhardt as a skeptic; or, Anthropology as conceptual puzzle-solving
- 1 September 2017
- journal article
- Published by University of Chicago Press in HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory
- Vol. 7 (2), 351-375
- https://doi.org/10.14318/hau7.2.031
Abstract
This article revolves around the observation that ethnographic classics like Godfrey Lienhardt’s Divinity and experience: The religion of the Dinka are conceived as ethnocentric and colonialist. Arguing against this verdict, the article attempts to rethink (and emancipate) Lienhardt as a Pyrrhonian skeptic. This sets the stage for an exploration of Lienhardt’s life-long interest in realigning anthropology as an objective science with literature as a form of art. Poetry, fiction, Lienhardt’s ethnography, as well as Pyrrhonian skepticism help us to explore the possibilities of conceptualizing creatively. They accomplish this by declining to offer definite answers about the world’s constitution. By way of conclusion, I propose to understand cultural anthropology as a form of “fictive science,” one that is primarily interested in solving conceptual puzzles that emerge during specific ethnographic encounters. Résumé: Le point de départ de cet article est le constat que des classiques de l’ethnographie tels que Divinity and experience: The religion of the Dinka de Godfrey Lienhardt sont souvent perçus comme ethnocentriques et colonialistes. Cet article tente de repenser (et d’émanciper) Lienhardt en le présentant comme un sceptique Pyrrhonien. Cela permet d’explorer la recherche que Lienhardt a mené tout au long de sa vie d’un réalignement de l’anthropologie, en tant que science objective, avec la littérature, comme mode d’expression artistique. La poésie, ainsi que d’autres formes de fiction, l’ethnographie de Lienhardt, et le scepticisme Pyrrhonien explorent tous la possibilité de conceptualiser de manière créative en s’éloignant de toute tentative de donner des réponses définitives au sujet de la composition du monde. Pour conclure, je propose de considérer l’anthropologie comme une forme de ‘science fictive’ qui entreprend de résoudre les énigmes conceptuelles qui émergent durant les rencontres en terrains ethnographiques.Keywords
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