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ASA14: Anthropology and Enlightenment
19-22 June 2014
*Perfection: histories, technologies, cosmologies*
http://www.nomadit.co.uk/asa/asa2014/panels.php5?PanelID=2706
Convenors
Melissa Demian (University of Kent)
David Henig (University of Kent)
Summary
This panel draws upon Enlightenment ideas of a human history tending toward
perfection through the virtuous action of individual persons and
intervention into social institutions. We ask how these ideas continue to
affect anthropological work on institutionalised agendas for human
perfectibility.
Long abstract
This panel takes its inspiration from the socio-history of Adam Ferguson,
and more specifically the notion that human nature is not only social in
its originary form, but tending toward perfectibility through the
cultivation of virtuous action. We find echoes of this idea in many of the
ideas alive in the global ecumene today: for example, that societies are
improvable through the development of educational, religious, medical and
legal modes of action. In turn, by asking what perfection is we want to
invigorate another inspirational moment of Ferguson's work, namely
anthropology's ambition to address questions about the condition(s) of
humanity. Indeed, the notion of perfection strongly resonates with
longstanding questions about relations between society and individual,
freedom and obligation, and the legitimation of action more generally.
We invite paper-givers to ask, how are such notions informed by a
particular concept of history as having an inherent tendency toward
improvement and ultimately perfection? If this will happen 'anyway', why do
states, NGOs, religious and other institutions so earnestly try to
intervene, and what forms do these interventions take? We also invite
consideration that interventions made through purely 'physical' means, such
as public health and media initiatives, also have at their core the idea
that society is improvable by cultivating enlightened self-interest, and
vice versa.
click here to propose a paper:
http://www.nomadit.co.uk/asa/asa2014/panels.php5?PanelID=2706
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