Concretude simbólica e descrição etnográfica: Sobre a relação entre antropologia e filosofia

Abstract

This article reflects on the relation between anthropology and philosophy, starting from the central characteristics of ethnographic description and the importance of the symbolic dimension to social life. Taking as its reference the different manifestations of social life and the diversity of societies and groups, or social segments, studied by anthropologists, the article examines the conditions of intelligibility of ethnographic work as an issue that spans anthropological research wherever it occurs. As such, it permanently imposes a reflection, of a philosophical character, that seeks to account for concrete, well-circumscribed and empirically delimited problems. With this in mind, the article first explores the conditions for the intelligibility of witchcraft practices as studied by anthropologists, and concludes with a discussion on the intelligibility of juridical disputes and the demand for rights in modern societies.