Is the field of anthropology relevant to today's world?

Question

Most people think that anthropologists deal with esoteric theory and do research in far-flung and isolated corners of the world. Is anthropology relevant, or on its way out? Is it simply a novelty and a fun class in college, or is it important in the context of contemporary problems?

Answer 1

Anthropology need not be about studying native people in far-flung and isolated corners of the world. A lot of the newer graduates are looking into studying the new social groups within their own countries. These could include immigrants and how they are adjusting to their new homeland, youth groups like emo's, goths etc or the mini-society that forms on a school playground, with bullies and nerds. Not to forget  groups within peoples workplaces or their hobbies. The information they get from these studies can be surprisingly relevant for society as a whole. If you understand how social dynamics work you are better able to solve problems that might arise when different social groups collide.

Answer 2

well put Calm-need i say more? i think not.

Answer 3

Anthropology is an important role in our everyday existence to assist us in understanding the historical reasons as to why some things are the the way the are or aren't!  If our corrupt governments invest a few billions in this field of study instead of billions on unlawful wars....we may be in better economic and ecological states on mother earth!

Answer 4

When most people think about anthropology, they think, just as you said, exploring distant lands or abstruse theories detached from any pragmatic significance.  Based on personal experience, however, I've found anthropology quite useful in a very wide range of practical discourses.  Anthropology trains you to have the ability to put yourself in other people's shoes--shoes that may fit oddly at first--and the ability to analyze a diverse set of not just the data itself, but the relationship between the data and its creators.  So, I think the question of relevancy ultimately depends on what you do with what you're taught.

The second question uses an unnecessary bifurcation.  As mentioned above, anthropology can be practical and it need not be either something trivial or something grand as saving the world.