Why Anthropology Matters Now: Interview with Dr. Agustín Fuentes, World Anthropology Day 2020

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Augustine Fuentes, an anthropologist from the University of Notre Dame, discusses the importance of anthropology in addressing critical global issues such as climate change, inequality, and health crises. He emphasizes that understanding the past is essential for making informed decisions about the future. Fuentes also highlights the relevance of anthropology in various fields, including business, where it aids in understanding human behavior and economic systems. He encourages students to explore different areas of anthropology to find what resonates with them, stressing the value of anthropological knowledge in solving contemporary challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anthropology helps us understand complex challenges like climate change, inequality, and public health issues by providing theoretical grounding and a toolkit for analyzing human processes.
• 😀 Anthropology connects historical and contemporary human experiences, helping us understand past and present issues to predict and address future challenges.
• 😀 The field of anthropology emphasizes social justice, promoting engagement with societal issues to create positive change.
• 😀 Understanding the past is crucial to avoid repeating mistakes in the future, offering insights into societal opportunities, possibilities, and how systems have evolved.
• 😀 A wide range of interests and fields within anthropology makes it accessible and appealing to people from various academic backgrounds and personal passions.
• 😀 Anthropology is valuable in various fields, including conservation, business, and marketing, offering insights into human behavior, consumption patterns, and socio-economic dynamics.
• 😀 Studying anthropology provides practical skills, including critical thinking and conducting interesting research, which can give students an edge in interviews, even for business-related careers.
• 😀 Anthropology can enhance one's understanding of economic systems, consumer behavior, and marketing strategies by integrating ethnographic research and social theory.
• 😀 People interested in business should consider taking anthropology courses to better understand human motivations and behaviors in economic and marketing contexts.
• 😀 Reflection on the past and recognition of errors made by previous generations can guide future actions, ensuring progress and improvements are made based on a solid understanding of human history.

Q & A

What are some of the big challenges facing humanity that Dr. Augustine Fuentes mentions?

Dr. Fuentes mentions several challenges facing humanity, including climate change, inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic, and issues related to economics, politics, biology, health, and ecology.

How does anthropology contribute to solving global challenges, according to Dr. Fuentes?

Anthropology provides the theoretical grounding, a toolkit for understanding human processes, and a social justice framework to help address these global challenges by studying the past, present, and predicting the future.

Why does Dr. Fuentes believe anthropology is critical in today's world?

Dr. Fuentes believes anthropology is critical because it helps us understand why current issues, such as climate change, political systems, and inequality, are occurring. It also provides insights into how we might address these problems in the future.

What does Dr. Fuentes say about the importance of understanding the past?

Dr. Fuentes emphasizes that understanding the past is crucial because it helps us avoid repeating past mistakes and provides insights into possible future opportunities and solutions.

What advice does Dr. Fuentes give to those interested in studying anthropology?

Dr. Fuentes advises students to explore various subjects and take classes from different areas to find what resonates with them. He believes anthropology’s breadth and depth appeal to a wide range of people.

How does studying primates relate to anthropological work?

Studying primates provides insights into conservation, the Anthropocene, colonial legacies, and human nature, allowing anthropologists to engage with these themes through a fascination with primates.

What does Dr. Fuentes say about the financial outcomes for anthropology majors compared to other majors?

Dr. Fuentes points out that income differences between anthropology majors and other social science majors are minimal, and an anthropology degree might even offer an edge when it comes to interviews, thanks to research experience.

Is a business degree necessarily better for finding a business job, according to Dr. Fuentes?

No, Dr. Fuentes argues that a business degree doesn’t guarantee a better job in business. He highlights that anthropology majors, through their unique research and understanding of human behavior, may have an advantage.

How is anthropology relevant to business, particularly in marketing and economics?

Anthropology is relevant to business because it helps understand human behavior, consumer decisions, and marketing strategies. It also provides insights into ethnographic realities, which are crucial for understanding how different business models work.

What is the ultimate message Dr. Fuentes conveys about learning from the past?

Dr. Fuentes stresses the importance of learning from the mistakes made by past generations. By understanding these errors, we can make better decisions in the future and avoid repeating history’s negative patterns.