The decline of tradition of holistic approach to culture in anthropology - Coursework Example

The decline of tradition of holistic approach to culture in anthropology Holistic representation of culture has over theyears come under sharp review by anthropologists who are of the view that this school of thought has been overtaken by time. A number of exaggerations have been witnessed in the demonstration of purity, consensus and the picture of pristineness. The steady rise of the school of cognitive anthropologists has who have tried to limit the view of culture to patterned cognitive processes such as schemas, classifications and metaphors has facilitated the decline of traditional holistic approach to culture.

The social as well as the political processes to anthropology has had adopted a more scientific approach in their analysis leading to the decline of traditional holistic approaches. The emergence of a different view of culture and culture politics has resulted into a different view of how anthropologists regard holistic culture in their interpretation of key concepts and dimensions. The quest to verify all cultural attributes has led to anthropologist consideration of only specific trends in culture instead of adopting the entire culture of the people being studied.

Cultural politics considers political ramifications of all cultures across a number of artistic and academic disciplines such as anthropology. Politics has all along relied heavily on culture to offer explanations for some of the actions of key politicians and general political conduct in the society. However the emergence of academic disciplines such as political science has led to the decline of tradition holistic approach to culture.