Spring 2013 Philosophy of Culture Course Study Questions

Return to Philosophy of Culture

All exams are based on these study questions. You are strongly encouraged to keep notes on these study questions as the semester proceeds. This will make you preparation for the mid-term and final much more efficient and productive.

January 07

1st day of Class. No study questions.

January 08

1. Why does Wilson think it is useful to study human culture in relationship to ants, bees, termites, and wasps?

2. What are some advantages and disadvantages of having an exoskeleton?

3. What are some distinctive aspects of human eusociality?

4. What is ethnography, how do you do it, and is it science?

January 10

1. According to Brian Eno, what is the importance of metaphor in understanding culture?

2. Why is the fact that cultural activity is evolutionarily "expensive" a puzzle in trying to explain it?

3. What is a "preadaptation" and what are some of the major preadaptations Wilson postulates for earlier humans and pre-humans?

January 14

1. Identify both traditional views about emergence of hominids, as well as Wilson's speculations.

2. Why are nests and relatively stable campsites important to the development of hominids, according to Wilson?

3. Give an example of male bias in anthropology.

4. How is globalism altering anthropology? (Consider local examples in Italian culture.)

5. How might the HRAF be used to validate hypotheses in ethnography?

January 15

1. What is Yali's question and does Diamond think previous answers have been wrong?

2. What happened at Cajamarca on November 16, 1532? Be prepared to answer basic explanatory questions about this event.

January 17

1. How do the major "pre-adaptations" leading to homo sapiens (and culture) reduce the improbability of the emergence of human culture?

2. What is kin selection? What is group selection? How does Wilson think we determine whether to commit to group altruism or individualism in the pursuit of our survival (and thriving)?

January 21

1. How were anthropologists of the early 20th century responding to 19th century ideas and to Freudianism?

2. How did anthropologists of the early 20th century think of their discipline in relation to science?

3. Give examples of "revisionism" of the work of even famous anthropologists? How should we explain this?

4. Has Freudianism been helpful in anthropology, in your opinion?

5. What evidence do we have about the depth of tribalism in human culture?

6. Are humans (and their ancestors) violent and warlike by nature?