ANTH 399 Midterm 1 Flashcards
Ecological Succession
the process of gradual and sequential changes in the composition of an ecosystem over time
biodiversity, habitat development, nutrient cycling, soil formation, ecosystem stability, adaptation to environmental changes, human understanding, conservation
Mutualism
a symbiotic relationship between two species in which both partners benefit from the association
human-ecological systems (i.e., agriculture)
cultural practice (i.e., certain animals may be considered sacred due to mutualism)
agriculture
human-animal bond
spiritual and symbolic significance (certain plants/animals are integral to rituals, ceremonies etc)
Coevolution
two or more species reciprocally influence each other’s evolution over a period
domestication, medicinal plants, agriculture, adaptation to changing environment
Western Progressivism
advocates for social, cultural, and political change, often driven by principles of social justice, equality, and human rights
cultural evolution, globalization, social movements, identity politics
Wilderness
areas of land that remain largely undisturbed by human activities and are characterized by their natural, unmodified state
traditional ecological knowledge, cultural ecology, human-wildlife relationships,
Ontological Turn
a shift in the discipline’s theoretical orientation, emphasizing a focus on ontology (study of being, existence)
cultural relativism, indigenous knowledge systems, ethnographic methodology
Ecological Perspective
studying human societies and cultures within the context of their environment and ecosystems
holistic understanding, cultural ecology, adaptation and resilience, human-environment interaction
Dialectical Biology
integrates dialectical materialism with the study of biology and natural sciences (interconnectedness of biological and cultural evolution)
Crisis Learning
the adaptive processes and knowledge acquisition that occur within a community or society in response to significant and often disruptive events
adaptation to environmental change, cultural resilience, survival strategies, knowledge transmission
Incremental Learning
the gradual and continuous acquisition of knowledge, skills, and practices within a cultural or social group
culture transmission, adaptive evolution, skill development, language acquisition
Cartesian Dualism
a fundamental separation between the mind and the body (they are distinct qualities)
mind-body dichotomy in culture, cultural concepts, religious practices, worldview
Metanarratives and key metaphors
M: postmodern thought, grand, overarching, and comprehensive stories or ideologies that explain nature of reality
K: powerful symbols or linguistic expressions that encapsulate and convey cultural meanings
cultural relativism, decentering western perspectives
Eeyou Eedouwin
traditional way of life and cultural practices of the Cree people
cultural resilience, sustainable practices, interconnectedness with land, spiritual/ceremonial practices
Technology
the tools, techniques, and knowledge that humans use to manipulate their environments
material culture, social organization (division of labour), economic systems, communication
Traditional ecological knowledge
cumulative knowledge, practices, and beliefs held by indigenous and local communities about their environments
sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, cultural identity, medicinal knowledge, cultural transmission
Lewontin’s Thesis
argued against the idea that race is a meaningful biological category based on genetic differences
genetic variation within populations, social construction of race
Problems with subsistence typologies
refer to classifications or categorizations of societies based on their primary means of obtaining food and resources
simplification of complex realities: oversimplify complex ways in which societies obtain and utilize resources
cultural bias and ethnocentrism: may reflect cultural bias since they are often developed from the perspective of western observers
alternative approach to subsistence typologies
adopting a more nuanced, context-specific, and dynamic perspective that considers the interconnectedness of economic, social, and cultural dimensions within a given society
holistic understanding, contextual flexibility, cultural sensitivity,
how are tools conflated with technology?
technological advancements (modern tools involve complex technological components)
functionality over form
instrumental role
innovation and invention
how does western science differ from traditional ecological knowledge
TEK focuses on the holistic understanding and connectedness with nature, whereas WS focuses on analysis of nature, TEK is long-term observation and WS is short-term, TEK views humans as an integral part of nature, WS views nature as an object to be studied objectively
how wilps incorporate social institutions in their management schemes (identify and define)
how does western post-enlightenment cosmology see the place of humans in the world and the role of ecologists
WPEC - humans are the centre of the worldview, it places a significant emphasis on human interests and often asserts human dominance over the natural world. it views nature as a separate and external entity, distinct from humans. world is often measured in terms of its utility to human needs. apply scientific methods to understand and manipulate the environment, primarily for human benefit. Humans over nature.
what was the original account of Papa Nui’s (easter island) fate, and how has it been amended?
O: revolved around a narrative of ecological and societal collapse attributed to the island’s inhabitants. experienced a catastrophic downfall due to overexploitation of natural resources (deforestation), resource depletion, environmental degradation
A: it is important to emphasize a more holistic and nuanced approach to understanding the island’s fate because there were multiple factors involved (diseases, European contact, environmental variability)
If the Abrahamic (Judeo-Christian-Islamic) traditions (Great Chain, Origin story) reflect millennia of environmental learning, why has it become maladaptive?
these narratives often place humans at the pinnacle of creation, with earth and its resources seen as provided for human use. have provided the moral and ethical framework for many, but are now maladaptive. it has led to exploitative attitudes toward the environment. it contributes to issues like deforestation, pollution and climate change.
