Understanding Human Diversity: Biological, Social, and Philosophical Anthropology

Anthropology: Integrative Knowledge of Humanity

Anthropology pursues an integrative knowledge from data supplied by other sciences.

Dimensions of Anthropology

Biological or Physical Anthropology

Examines the diversity of the human body in the past and present. This includes the evolution of human anatomy, differences and relationships between peoples, and their adaptations to the current environment. We study the theory of human evolution from our ancestors.

Social, Ethnological, or Cultural Anthropology

Studies human behavior, cultural activities and products, and structures of social relations in human groups. Archaeology focuses on the study of ancient cultures.

Philosophical Anthropology

Exploits the knowledge provided by anthropology to address more inclusive questions. From this data, it seeks a global concept or interpretation of humans.

In conclusion: the human being is nature, but more than that, is culture. Social nature prints a biocultural existence that goes beyond two dimensions. Humans create their own world, giving order and meaning to humanity.

Basis for Cultural Differences

Several key capacities underpin cultural differences:

• The Capacity for Symbolization: Humans use symbols, unlike animals which primarily use signals.
  • Signs: Signs have a direct relationship to what they express (e.g., a scream indicates pain).
  • Symbols: Symbols are detached from the object they represent, requiring abstraction and social agreement to denote meaning (e.g., the color red signifying danger). This capability allows humans to create oral and written language.
• Increased Ability to Understand Group Relations: Human beings are capable of understanding the intentions and feelings of others.
• The Control of Behavior: Stimuli do not automatically trigger responses; humans can introduce a series of mediations.
• Learning by Imitation and Symbolic Communication: Humans learn easily, not only through conditioning but also through imitation and symbolic communication (language). Education for specific purposes is unique to the human species.
• The Ability to Anticipate or Foresee: Humans can extend the effectiveness of their behavior and plan. Animals do not exhibit planned behavior.