THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF FOOD AND EATING by Sidney W. Mintz^ and Christine Essay

THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF FOOD AND EATING by Sidney W. Mintz^ and Christine M. Du Bois^ - Essay Example That notwithstanding, what comes out as of utmost importance in the article is what anthropology entails. From the reading, it is asserted that anthropology is concerned with unearthing the origin of human life, culture, as well as social interactions. In fact, through references made to Kant’s philosophy on reasoning, the concept of anthropology is epitomized. It seeks to find knowledge against which man gains understanding of the world. Fabian fronts the idea that knowledge is a possession which contributes to the survival of mankind. The article by Roy Ellen mainly seeks to espouse on the theories that should be accepted as being anthropological. Just as argued by Fabian, anthropology is fundamentally based on theories just like in philosophical studies. In fronting his views on anthropological theories, the author argues that theories are basically presumptions. They constitute of suppositions which should aid one in developing a basis for ascertaining the truth behind contemporary occurrences or predicaments. In doing, the author gives an example of how the theory of evolution from selected individual could be used to give presumptions on the rest of life. Anthropological theories, therefore, should seek to give directions on anthropological studies with the aim of giving information which could be used for the survival of the existent species. There are different theories which have been fronted in this discourse. The first is the simple correlative theory which is based on hypothesis which bear relevance to selected variables. It works by minimizing the variables to selected ones which would best suit the situation at hand. The other is the theory of emergent systems which is characterized by probabilistic occurrences. The last theory is on socio-cultural change as well as its transmission. In reviewing the theories which are existent in anthropology, the writer digresses to the Darwinian Theory of