SO, i have to answer a question that says "What makes us human?"
Part 1: Adress how a cultural anthropologist would answer this question
- firm statement comfirming what makes humans a unique species
- evidence that confirms
Par 2: Address how a physical anthropologist would answer
(same as up top firm statement confirm + evidence)
If someone could help out much would be appreciated thank you <3
As a biological (physical) anthropologist myself my answer is, of course, going to be a little biased.
Cultural anthropologists often define humans as unique through our cultural achievements; civilisation, art and music. Our ability to communicate in a symbolic manner is also often put forward.
As for evidence that confirms this, cultural anthropologists don’t often have all that much evidence, they often base these assumptions on how they feel about things and then try to superimpose that onto what is known. Sounds a bit harsh, but I’m a scientist and as such don’t really buy into wishy, washy cultural anth thinking.
A physical anthropologist would define a human as the only extant member of the genus Homo. Our closest living genetic relatives are to be found in the genus Pan who share some aspects of our affinity for tool use (more so troglodytes in the wild) and cultural traditions (types of tool use and gestures are unique to given populations). There are some aspects of our genetic make up that distinguish us from other great apes, namely those that favour a bipedal posture and language. There are some who have argued that various other primates also communicate via vocalisations with specific meanings (vervet monkeys and their predator calls, troglodytes and food calls).
In short, we humans are unique but only to a point. To paraphrase Charles Darwin; what separates us from the apes are differences of degree, not of kind.
I didn’t provide citations as you should find them yourself, I’m not doing your whole homework exercise for you!
I am not going to essay this for you, been there done that…
, I will however give you some points to expound upon:
Part 1:
- Advanced Tool users
- Urban Centers
- Both Agri- and horti- culture
- Written Language
- Fire use
- Religion
Part 2 -
- Prehensile Grip
- Brain size in proportion to skull size
- Fully Bipedal
- DNA
- mandible orientation and structure
I hope that helps you get started.
And I take great offense to calling cultural studies wishy washy.How arrogant of you to say.To imply that we are not scientists, that we do not most often employ empirical methodology, and make sound deductive reasoning is erroneous and pompous.Cultural and physical anthros often work side by side to understand our path both past and present, do not elevate your own ego to a level where you are ostracizing your colleagues based on your wishy washy conclusions about cultural anth.