Realizing the existence of blind spots in the 'West

A systems-theoretical perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID2402015
AuthorsKenichi Tani (0000-0002-0246-6707, Hitotsubashi University, corresponding author), Kiyomi Sakai (0000-0003-4492-3715, The University of Tokyo), Kosuke Sakai (0000-0001-8211-0833, University of Tokyo, Japan)
Year2020
Volume20
Issue4
Pages438-454
Publication date2020-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthropological Theory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1463-4996 • E-ISSN: 1741-2641
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1463499619859107
OpenAlexW2964130578
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

The aim of this paper is to define transcendental relativization, by using the binary in some anthropological works, and to give a description of it along with Niklas Luhmann's sociology. We examine how the binary [the West/non-West] has been used in some anthropological works and how it has contributed not only to understanding 'them' as a research object but also to realizing 'our' conceptual limitations. This paper is an attempt to deal with political or power-relational asymmetry and scientific observational asymmetry in anthropological works. Luhmann's sociology, which is based on the functional analysis and theory of social systems, shows that the binary approach in anthropology can be seen as a semantic form of science system, which realizes the existence of blind spots in anthropological observation, and is a possible strategy for anthropological investigations

Epistemology · Linguistics · Object (grammar · Perspective (graphical · Social science · Sociology · Transcendental number · Anthropology · Computer Science · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Philosophical and Historical Studies · Philosophy · Social Representations and Identity · Artificial Intelligence

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