Teka-Teki Poliandri: Kritik Antropologi atas Sosiobiologi

Abstract

This article addresses the critique Anthropology potentially poses toward the simplistic nature of Sociobiology. Drawing on ethnographies from diverse parts of the world, I examine multiple approaches and reasons for societies to practice polyandry, which Sociobiology is firmly believed to be caused merely by the 'selfish gene'. I argue that, notwithstanding the natural-biological drive for ensuring the continuation of one's gene, there are other factors to foster a polyandry. Beside pointing towards the danger of naturalizing social sciences as a lens to analyse polyadry, I am also sceptical towards interpretivism in analysing polyandry, since both are prone to fall into reductionism. I propose a sort of historical materialist approach to understand polyandry as an interesting phenomenon and to showcase how Anthropology's most celebrated legacy, the meticulous and detailed method of ethnography, can contribute towards a better understanding of the complex human society.