The 'Other' in Anthropology and Philosophy

Author(s): Sundar Sarukkai

Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 32, No. 24 (Jun. 14-20, 1997), pp. 1406-1409
Published by: Economic and Political Weekly
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4405512 .
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T h e ' O t h e r ' i n An t h r opology a n d Ph i losoph y
Sun d a r Sa r ukka i
T h e t ot i on of t h e ' ot h e r ' h a s be come ve r ypr e va le n t i n soci a l sci e n ce s. He r e t h e ' ot h e r ' i s e xa mi n e d a s i t occur s
i n a n t h r opologya n d ph i losoph y, pr i ma r i lyt h r ough Le vi n a s a n d De r r i d a . Ba se d on t h i s, a r a d i ca l r e vi si on of
a n t h r opologi ca lkn owle d ge , ' e t h i ca ll) ' or i e n t e d a n d i n cor por a t i n gsubje ct i vi t ya s a n e sse n t i a l e le me n t , i s sugge st e d .
Fi n a ll), i t i s a r gue d t h a t wi t h i n such a fr a me wor k fi ct i on h a s t obe con si d e r e d a s a va li d e t h n ogr a ph i c d a t a .
MN SRINIVAS ma ke sa fe w pr ovoca t i ve
a n d t i me lycomme n t si n h i s r e ce n t a r t i cle on
In d i a n a n t h r opology[Sr i n i va s 1996]. T wo
i mpor t a n t obse r va t i on sh a ve t od owi t h t h e
n ot i on of se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r a n d t h e sugge st i on
t h a t In d i a n a n t h r opologi st ssh ould n owmove
t ot h e st ud yof t h e se lf fr om se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r .
Un for t un a t e ly, h e h a s n ot d e ve lope d t h e se
con ce pt si n mor e d e t a i l. T h e t h e ma t i sa t i on
of t h e ot h e r a n d t h e se lf i s of fun d a me n t a l
i mpor t a n ce a n d i spr i ma r i lyi n for me d t h r ough
ph i losoph ya n d psych ology. T h e a i m of t h i s
pa pe r i s t oe xpli ca t e t h e n a t ur e of t h e ot h e r
a n d t h e se lf a s t h e yoccur i n a n t h r opology
a n d ph i losoph y, t h usa d d r e ssi n gt h e i n h e r e n t
t e n si on s i n e t h n ogr a ph y.
Aft e r a br i e f i n t r od uct i on t ot h e wa yt h e
ot h e r i s un d e r st ood i n a n t h r opology, t h e
mor e ph i losoph i ca l a ppr oa ch e s t h r ough
Le vi n a s a n d De r r i d a a r e e xpla i n e d . T h e
i mpor t a n ce of a ckn owle d gi n gt h e Le vi n a si a n
ot h e r i n a n t h r opologi ca l d i scour se i s
un d e r li n e d . T h i s d e ma n d sof e t h n ogr a ph y
a n ' e t h i ca lr e spon si bi li t y' t owa r d st h e ot h e r
wh i ch wi llgobe yon d obje ct i fyi n gt h e ot h e r .
Sr i n i va s' r e ma r kson se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r a n d
on t h e r e le va n ce of a ut obi ogr a ph y a s
e t h n ogr a ph yi sd i scusse d i n con n e ct i on wi t h
t h i s ot h e r . Fi n a lly, i t i s a r gue d t h a t t h e
pe r pe t ua l a bse n ce of t h e ot h e r wh i ch
ma n i fe st si t se lf on lyi n t e r msof i t s t r a ce s
gi ve s a va li d r e a son t olook t owa r d sfi ct i on
a s a le gi t i ma t e t ool for a n t h r opologi ca l
st ud i e s.
T h e An t h r opologi ca l ' O t h e r '
Ja cob Pa n d i a n i n h i s cle a r e xposi t i on on
a n t h r opologya n d t h e ot h e r , sugge st s t h a t
t h e ' Jud e o-Ch r i st i a n symbol(s) of d i vi n i t y
a n d t h e Ch r i st i a n con ce pt i on of t h e h uma n
se lf' [Pa n d i a n 1985:5],un d e r li e st h e mod e m
a n t h r opologi ca l d i scour se . T h e con st r uct i on
of t h e ot h e r wa s wi t h ' ch a r a ct e r i st i cswh i ch
a r e a li e n t ot h e we st e r n t r a d i t i on ' [Pa n d i a n
1985:6]. Mod e r n a n t h r opologya r ose wh e n
i t be ga n t ocon t r a st a n d a li e n a t e t h e cult ur e s
wh i ch we r e d i ffe r e n t fr om t h e we st , a n d i n
fa ct t h e un i que n e ssof a n t h r opologyi t se lf
' st e ms fr om t h e use of t h e h uma n ot h e r ' .
T h e pr i mn a r y r ole of a n t h r opologyt h us
wa sa pr oce ssof ' i n ve n t i n gt h e h uma n ot h e r '
i n or d e r t od e ve lopa t h e or yof h uma n ki n d .
T h i s a n t h r opologi ca l ot h e r i s ba si ca lly
e pi st e mologi ca l. It i s ba se d on t h e n ot i on
of pe r ce i ve d d i ffe r e n ce sa n d i s a cogn i t i ve
pr oce ssi n volvi n gobse r va t i on , colle ct i on of
d a t a a n d t h e or i si n g. T h us, t h e r e i s a ple t h or a
of h uma n ot h e r s wh i ch a ppe a r i n
a n t h r opology. Pa n d i a n li st s some of t h e
d omi n a n t ot h e r suse d i n t h i sd i scour se wh i ch
i n clud e st h e fossi lot h e r , sa va ge ot h e r . bla ck
ot h e r a n d t h e e t h n ogr a ph i cot h e r .
In t h e d i scour se on pr ogr e ss, d e ve lopme n t
a n d r a t i on a li t y wh i ch h a d be come
ch a r a ct e r i st i cof t h e we st a s d e scr i be d by
t h e mse lve s. t h e se a r ch for t h e ba si c h uma n
con d i t i on ga ve r i se t ot h e fossi l ot h e r . T h e
n on -we st e r n pe ople we r e se e n t oe mbod y
wh a t t h e pr i me va l we st wa s be for e i t s
' pr ogr e ss' a n d t h us we r e se e n a s ' li vi n g
fossi ls' . T h e h i st or i ca lgr owt h of t h e se i d e a s
sh ow i n h e r e n t i d e a s of d omi n a t i on . T h us,
t h e i d e a of t h e n on -we st e r n pe ople a s t h e
li vi n gfossi ld r e wsuppor t fr om t h e h i st or i ca l
a n d bi ologi ca l t h e or i e s of t h e t i me s.
Con si st e n t ly, t h e ot h e r st ood for a n i n fe r i or
h uma n a n d wa s e ve n un d e r st ood i n t h e
pa r a d i gm of t h e n a t i ve ch i ld r e n a s a ga i n st
t h e a d ult we st .
Much of t h e se i d e a s ove r la p i n t h e
con st r uct i on of t h e sa va ge ot h e r , pr i ma r i ly
or i e n t e d t owa r d s t h e Afr i ca n s a n d wh i ch
subse que n t lye n compa sse d e ve n t h e In d i a n
pe ople . Si mi la r ly, for t h e bla ck ot h e r , wh ose
con t i n ue d i mpor t a n ce li e s i n t h e va li d a t i on
of r a ci sm i t se lf.
Pa n d i a n a lso e st a bli sh e s a cr i t i que of
e t h ln ogr a ph ya n d t h e wa ys i n wh i ch t h e
pr e occupa t i on of t h e we st r e ga r d i n gt h e n on -
we st st i ll r e fle ct smuch of t h e i r pr e jud i ce s.
T h e r e a son swh ye t h n ogr a ph yi t se lf ' wor ks'
se e ms t obe mor e a r e fle ct i on of e con omi c
a n d soci a l d yn a mi cs of i n t e r -cult ur a l
r e la t i on sh i ps. In fa ct , h e sugge st s t h a t
' e li mi n a t i n gpr e jud i ce would be e li mi n a t i n g
a n t h r opology' [Pa n d i a n 1985:92].
T h e ba si cpr oble m i n t h e a n t h r opologi ca l
ot h e r i s t h a t i t i s n e ve r a r e cogn i t i on of t h e
ot h e r ; r a t h e r i t i s just a n e pi st e mologi ca l
ot h e r wh i ch pe r h a pssa ys mor e a bout t h e
e pi st e mologi ca lsyst e msof t h e e t h n ogr a ph e r
r a t h e r t h a n a n y' h on e st ' d e scr i pt i on of t h e
ot h e r . An t h r opology, un li ke ot h e r sci e n ce s,
i s n ot .a st ud yof i n a n i ma t e -n e ssa n d t h ush a s
t ogo be yon d t h e e pi st e mologi ca l mod e ls
d e r i ve d fr omt h e se d i sci pli n e s. Isugge st t h a t
t h e pr oble m of t h e a n t h r opologi ca lot h e r i s
d ue t ot h i s pr oce ss, a n d on e wa yout i s t o
look for a n ot h e r wa yt ot h e ma t i se t h e ot h e r ,
t h r ough a pr oce ss wh i ch wi ll gr a n t t o
a n t h r opologyi t s un i que st a t usa s a st ud y
of h uma n s. T h e wa yout i s t or e -un d e r st a n d
t h e ot h e r a n d pe r h a ps i n t e gr a t e i n t o i t s
e pi st e mology a n e t h i ca l r e spon si bi li t y
t owa r d st h e ot h e r .
T h e a n t h r opologi ca lot h e r i s on e ba se d
pur e lyon d i ffe r e n ce . But t h i sd oe sn ot a d d r e ss
t h e ba si ci ssue of t h e h uma n se lf con st r uct i n g
t h e ot h e r . T h e n ot i on of t h e ot h e r ca n n ot li e
on lyi n d i ffe r e n ce ; i f so, t h e r e i s r e a llyn o
d i ffe r e n ce i n a ckn owle d gi n gt h e ot h e me ss
of a r ose pla n t or a ze br a a n d t h a t of a pe r son .
Ri gh t lyt oo, on e ca n ma ke a d i st i n ct i on
be t we e n obse r vi n gt h e be h a vi our a lpa t t e r n s
of a commun i t yof ze br a sa n d a commun i t y
of pe ople . If t h e la t t e r con st i t ut e s
e t h n ogr a ph y, t h e n e t h n ogr a ph ycompr i se s
mor e t h a n me r e obse r va t i on a n d
ca t e gor i sa t i on of be h a vi our a lpa t t e r n sor
ki n sh i pst r uct ur e s. Wh a t ma ke st h e ot h e me ss
of h uma n s t h e ot h e r i s mor e t h a n t h i s.
Followi n gLe vi n a s, a n d la t e r De r r i d a , Ipla ce
t h e t h e ma t i sa t i on of t h e ot h e r i n a n e t h i ca l
d oma i n . It i s t h e e t h i ca l i mpe r a t i ve , a n
a ckn owle d ge me n t of t h e d e ma n d of t h e ot h e r
t h a t cr e a t e s t h e r e spon si bi li t yt owa r d st h e
ot h e r . It i s t h i sr e spon si bi li t y, wh i ch fi lls t h e
n ot i on of t h e ot h e r i n Le vi n a s, t h a t
d i ffe r e n t i a t e st h e ot h e r n e ssof ze br a a n d of
h uma n s.
T h e a n t h r opologi ca l ot h e r , ba se d on
d i ffe r e n ce , h a sfor sa ke n t h e r e spon si bi li t yof
t h e subje ct t owa r d st h e ot h e r . In t h e mod e l
of e pi st e mologyof t h e ph ysi ca lsci e n ce s, i t
h a s for sa ke n t h e n ot i on of r e spon si bi li t y
fr om t h e obje ct i ve d oma i n . An t h r opologi ca l
kn owle d ge , i n con st r uct i n gt h e ot h e r wi t h out
t h e e t h i ca li mpe r a t i ve , sa cr i fi ce st h e ot h e r n e ss
i n or d e r t oobje ct i fyh uma n si n t ot h i n gsa n d
subsume t h e ot h e r i n t ot h e ' sa me ' . O bje ct i ve ,
r a t i on a le pi st e mologyi s ba se d on t h e d e n i a l
of a n ye t h i ca l r e la t i on be t we e n t h e se lf a n d
t h e obje ct . Foun d i n gi t s e pi st e mologyon
t h i smod e l, e t h n ogr a ph yi sbli n d t ot h e d i ct a t e s
of t h e ot h e r .T h i sa n t h r opologi ca l ot h e r ma ke s
a n i ma lsout of h uma n s, i f n ot wor se .
Ar e pr i e ve wa s gi ve n t oa n t h r opologyi n
t h e gui se of Ma li n owski wh oe mph a si se d
t h e i mpor t a n ce of st ud yi n ga li e n cult ur e si n
t h e for m of pa r t i ci pa n t -obse r va t i on . But
1406 Econ omi c a n d Poli t i ca l We e kly Jun e 14, 1997
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Ma li n owski ' s e t h n ogr a ph yst i ll r e ma i n sa
ca t e gor i sa t i on of d i ffe r e n ce , a t a xon omyof
h uma n obje ct s. It d oe s n ot e ve n come close
t oa d d r e ssi n gt h e fun d a me n t a lpr oble m of
ot h e r n e ss. Pa r t i ci pa n t -obse r va t i on a t t e mpt s
t obui ld on t h i s but i t s r e spon se fa lls wa y
sh or t .
T h e pr oce ss of t h e a n t h r opologi ca l
' st r a n ge r ' se e ki n gt od e fi n e t h e n a t i ve h a s
ma d e t h e n a t i ve a li e n wh i le uph old i n gt h e
a ut on omyof t h e we st e r n se lf. In t h i ssce n a r i o,
t h e a li e n wh o i n va d e s t h e t e r r i t or yof t h e
n a t i ve t a ke sove r t h e spi r i t of t h e n a t i ve by
con st r uct i n gt h e m a s t h e ot h e r . T h e n a t ur e
of t h e ot h e r i n t h i s ca se i s vcr ycle a r : i t i s
ot h e r a s' n ot -se lf. T h e i n i t i a la n t h r opologi ca l
ot h e r suffe r scon t i n uouslyfr om t h i svi ole n ce ,
a vi ole n ce of t h e r e fi gur a t i on of t h e
con st i t ut i on of t h e n a t i ve se lf. T h i s ot h e r
i n t h i s ca se i s a ll t h a t t h e e t h n ogr a ph e r i s
n ot . It i s t h i sot h e r n e ssof t h e e t h n ogr a ph e r ' s
se lf t h a t t h i s ki n d of e t h n ogr a ph i cst ud y
yi e ld sa n d n ot t h e se lf of t h e n a t i ve . Couple d
t ot h i s i s t h e d i st a n ci n gof subje ct i vi t yi n
st a ki n g a n e pi st e mologi ca l cla i m t o
a n t h r opologi ca lobse r va t i on wh i ch fur t h e r
r i skslosi n gt h e ' e sse n ce ' oft h e n a t i ve ' sse lf.
T h i sa ct i vi t yi si n i t smost fun d a me n t a lse n se
a n obje ct i fi ca t i on of t h e n a t i ve swh i ch i n t h e
pr oce sse n d s upobje ct i fyi n gt h e i mpa r t i a l
obse r ve r h i m/h e r se lf.
In pa r t i ci pa n t obse r va t i on , t h e ' d i st a n ce ' ;
of t h e n a t i ve fr om t h e obse r ve r i s sough t t o
be r e d uce d bybe comi n gon e of t h e n a t i ve s.
T h e d r e ss, t h e cust oms a n d la n gua ge a r e
bor r owe d , h owe ve r i mpe r fe ct ly, t ofi t t h e
ga ze of t h e obse r ve r . But a ft e r a llt h e a t t e mpt s
a t a ssi mi la t i on , t h e ga ze i s st i lln ot lost . He r e
t h e ot h e r i s un d e r st ood d i ffe r e n t ly. By
si mula t i n gt h e ot h e r n e ssof t h e n a t i ve , t h e
obse r ve r con st r uct sh i s se lf a s ' n ot -ot h e r ' .
Alt h ough i n opposi t i on t ocon st r uct i n gt h e
ot h e r a sn ot -se lf. T h e con st r uct i on of se lf a s
' n ot -ot h e r ' d oe se qua lvi ole n ce on t h e n ot i on
of ot h e r n e ss. T h e obse r vi n gse lf con t i n ue s
t or e ma i n t h e e pi st e mologi ca l ' n ot -ot h e r ' .
As lon ga st h e ga ze of t h e obse r ve r se a r ch e s
out for st r uct ur e sun t old a n d h i d d e n byt h e
n a t i ve s, i t be come s a vi ole n t a ct . Vi ole n ce
a r i se s h e r e i n t h e Le vi n a si a n se n se of n ot
h e e d i n gt h e e t h i ca l ca ll of t h e ot h e r , t h e
e t h i ca lca llwh i ch d e ma n d sr e spon si bi li t yof
t h e obse r vi n gse lf t owa r d st h e n a t i ve ot h e r .
T h us, i n bot h t h e se ca se sof a n t h r opologi ca l
obse r va t i on , t h e ot h e r i s con st r uct e d a n d n ot
r e a li se d on a pr e -ca t e gor i ca lle ve l. O n ly
e pi st e mologi ca lca t e gor i e s of t h e ot h e r a s
' n ot -se lf a n d t h e se lf a s ' n ot -ot h e r ' r e ma i n .
Bot h t h e se con t i n ue wi t h t h e supposi t i on
t h a t t h e r e i s n or e spon si bi li t yt ot h e ot h e r
a n d r e ma i n d e a f t oi t sca ll. Such a n a br oga t i on
of r e spon si bi li t y i s on ly be ca use t h e
e pi st e mologi ca lmod e lsa r e
un d e r st oqd
t obe
so. But t h i s obvi ouslyd oe s n ot se r ve t h e
a n t h r opologi ca l con ce r n a n d ope n s
a n t h r opologyt ot h e ch a r ge of colon i a li sm.
II
T h e Ph i losoph i ca l O t h e r
I would li ke t oa ppr oa ch t h e d i scussi on
of t h e ot h e r i n ph i losoph ypr i ma r i lyt h r ough
Le vi n a sa n d De r r i d a . Le vi n a s' coflce m a r i se s
a t a pr e -ph i losoph i ca l, pr e -cogn a t e le ve l.
T h e a bi li t y t o d i st i n gui sh h uma n s fr om
a n i ma ls i s by a ckn owle d gi n gt h e h uma n
ot h e r a sot h e r . T h i sot h e r i smor e fun d a me n t a l
t h a n a n y h uma n a ct i vi t y. It i s t h e
r e spon si bi li t yt owa r d st h e ot h e r t h a t e ve n
ma ke s' d i a logi ca lspe e ch a n d r e a son ' possi ble
[De gn i n 1995]. In h i s r e a d i n gof Le vi n a s,
De gn i n si t ua t e st h e i mpor t a n ce of t h e ' fa ce
of t h e ot h e r ' a se voki n gt h e subje ct . It i s t h e
ca llof t h e ot h e r a son e li ke me wh i ch be ge t s
t h i se t h i ca lr e spon si bi li t y. T h us, "t h e O t h e r
i s t h e fi r st t r ut h , but n ot i n a cogn i t i ve se n se .
Ra t h e r t h i s t r ut h i s t h e e xpe r i e n ce of t h e
e t h i ca lca ll t h a t e ve n t ua t e spr i or t oa n d i s
con st i t ut i ve of r e a son , me t a ph ysi cs a n d
d i scour se " [De gn i n 1995].
Wh e n t h e se lf a t t e mpt st osubsume t h e
ot h e r i n t ot h e ' sa me ' , t h e n t h e r e i s vi ole n ce
d on e a ga i n st t h e ot h e r . T h e r e i s a n e t h i ca l
r e spon si bi li t yn ot t o vi ola t e t h e ot h e r by
r e d uci n gi t t oon e ' s own syst e m of t h ough t .
T h e vi ole n ce a r i se si n i gn or i n gt h i s a pr i or i
e t h i ca lca ll. Ign or i n gt h e ca lli s a lsot ovi e w
t h e ot h e r a s a n obje ct of kn owle d ge . Doi n g
so, on lye li mi n a t e st h e i d e n t i t yof t h e ot h e r
a n d r e -fi gur e si t i n t h e e ye s of t h e subje ct ,
' t h e r e byi n cor por a t i n gt h e ot h e r i n t o t h e
i d e n t i t yof t h e con st i t ut i n gsubje ct ' [Powe ll
1995]. T h e d e e pe r pr oble m h e r e i s on e of
r e pr e se n t a t i on . T h e ot h e r i sr e pr e se n t e d , a n d
pe r h a ps e ve n con st i t ut e d t h r ough , t h i s
r e pr e se n t a t i on i n t h e wa yof t h e subje ct . It
i st h e pr oce ssof r e pr e se n t i n gt h e ot h e r wh i ch
subsume s i t i n t ot h e i n t e lli gi bi li t yof t h e
subje ct a n d n e ga t e s i t s i d e n t i t y.
Le vi n a s' wr i t i n gson t h e ot h e r si t ua t e sh i s
con ce r n i n t h e e t h i ca lspa ce . But t h i se t h i cs
i s n ot t h e e t h i cs or d i n a r i lyun d e r st ood a s
syst e m of mor a lsa n d pr e scr i pt i on s. He poi n t s
t h e pa t h n ot t o a t h e or yof e t h i cs but of
or i e n t i n gt h e subje ct t owa r d sa ckn owle d gi n g
a n d r e spon d i n gt ot h e ' e t h i ca l' , be for e i t i s
ca t e gor i se d by kn owle d ge . As De r r i d a
r e ma r ks, wh a t Le vi n a s pr opose s t o
un d e r st a n d i s t h e "e sse n ce of t h e e t h i ca l
r e la t i on i n ge n e r a l" [De r r i d a 1978]. Et h i cs
h a st obe ba se d on a ' pr e -gi ve n e t h i ca lr e la t i on
t owh i ch a lle t h i csr e spon d s' [Powe ll 1995].
Powe ll ma ke s t h e poi n t t h a t e t h i cs i s
d e pe n d e n t on a t h e or yof t h e subje ct a n d t h e
e t h i ca le d i fi ce i s ba se d on t h e ' a ct i ve a ge n t
a s t h e foun d a t i on of e t h i cs' . Le vi n a sd r a ws
us t ot h e r e cogn i t i on of t h e e t h i ca lwh i ch i s
n ot ba se d on t h e h e ge mon yof t h e subje ct
but r a t h e r a son e wh i ch r e spon d st ot h e pr e -
cogn i t i ve r e la t i on wi t h t h e ot h e r . In fa ct , a s
Powe ll r e ma r ks, t h e ve r y n ot i on of
subj}e ct i vi t ya r i se son lybe ca use t h e subje ct
i s r e spon d i n gt ot h e ot h e r , wh oi s pr i or t o
t h e subje ct i n t h e se n se t h a t t h e ot h e r ma ke s
possi ble t h e t r a n sfor ma t i on fr om subje ct t o
subje ct i vi t y. Kn owle d ge of t h e ot h e r , i n t e r ms
of i t sr e pr e se n t a t i on , come sa ft e r t h i sr e spon se
t ot h e ot h e r a n d "pr i or t ot h e t a ki n g-upof
h i st or y, I h a ve a lr e a d yr e spon d e d t o t h e
ot h e r , t h e me a n i n gof e t h i csh a sa lr e a d ybe e n
gi ve n , I h a ve a lr e a d ybe e n subje ct e d t ot h e
h i st or yof t h e ot h e r " [Powe ll 1995].
In h i s la t e r wor k [Le vi n a s 1981], Le vi n a s
sh i ft e d t o t h e n ot i on of t r a ce i n or d e r t o
un d e r st a n d t h e ot h e r . T h e De r r i d e a n
' d i ffe r a n ce ' would be a n i d e a l wor d t o
d e scr i be t h i s ot h e r - n ot on lyi s t h e ot h e r
d i ffe r e n t but i t i s a lso i n pe r pe t ua l
post pon e me n t . Wh e n I gr a spt owa r d s t h e
ot h e r , Ia m le ft h old i n g, con t i n uously,t r a ce s
of t h e ot h e r . T h e t r a ce s con st i t ut e t h e
pe r pe t ua la bse n ce of t h e ot h e r ; "be ca use t h e
O t h e r i s st r uct ur a lly a bse n t - a lwa ys
un r e a ch a ble " [De gn i n 1995]. My
r e spon si bi li t yt owa r d st h e ot h e r ma ke s me
plod a lon gd i li ge n t ly, goi n gfr om on e t r a ce
t ot h e n e xt , for e ve r t h us con st r uct i n gt h e
ot h e me ss. It i s i n t h i s a ckn owle d ge me n t of
t h e pe r pe t ua l post pon e me n t t h a t t h e ot h e r n e ss
li e s. Ackn owle d gi n gt h i s i s a cce pt i n gt h e
i mpla usi bi li t y of comple t e n e ss; t h e
r e spon si bi li t yli e si n a cce pt i n gwh a t i sgr a n t e d
a n d t oplod on i n t h e pa t h of possi ble i n fi n i t e
si gn i fi ca t i on s. But t h i s r e spon si bi li t yi s n ot
on t ologi ca l, n ot solon ga s i t se e s t h e ot h e r
on lya s a kn owa ble e n t i t y. T h e a wa r e n e ss
of t h e ot h e r i n t e r ms of a n e t h i ca l
r e spon si bi li t yi s wh a t ma ke s t h e pr oce ss
on t ologi ca l. T h us, i n or d e r t obe ' t r ue ' t o
t h e ot h e r , e t h n ogr a ph ysh ould ba se i t se lf on
t h e con ce pt of d i ffe r a n ce r a t h e r t h a n on e
ba se d on d i ffe r e n ce .
T h e i d e a oft h e t r a ce i s i mpor t a n t t oDe r r i d a
i n h i scr i t i que of t h e ' me t a ph ysi csof pr e se n ce '
- e ve n a s we pr i or i t i se pr e se n ce we lose a ll
t h a t i spr e se n t t h r ough a bse n ce . T h i spr e se n ce
of a bse n ce i s ma r ke d t h r ough wi t h t h e t r a ce
oft h e ot h e r . Ke a me ypoi n t sout t h a t a lt h ough
t h e e a r lyDe r r i d a ' s wor k focuse d on t h e
e pi st e mologi ca lcon t r a st be t we e n pr e se n ce
a n d a bse n ce , h i sla t e r wor kssh ow' e mph a si s
on t h e que st i on of e t h i ca l r e spon si bi li t y'
[Ke a r n e y1993]. T h e e t h i ca li ssue h e r e sh ould
be un d e r st ood i n t h e con t e xt d e scr i be d a bove ;
a s Ke a r n e y r e ma r ks, "d e con st r uct i on ' s
obse ssi on wi t h a lt e r i t yi s compa t i ble wi t h
t h e e t h i cs of ' i n cr e a se d r e spon si bi li t y"'
[Ke a r n e y 1993]. De con st r uct i on , un li ke
ma n ymi st a ke n a ccoun t s of i t . pa r t a ke sa
r e spon si bi li t ywh i ch i n i t sfoun d a t i on a l se n se
i s a se a r ch for t h e ot h e r . T h e con t i n ue d
on sla ugh t on t h e r e d uct i on a n d r e pr e se n t a t i on
of t h e ot h e r i mpe ls t h e e t h i ca ld i r e ct e d n e ss
of d e con st r uct i on wh i ch a bove a llbe come s
' a n ope n n e ss t owa r d st h e ot h e r ' [Ke a r n e y
1993].
T h e a bove d i scussi on sugge st s t h a t t h e
a ppa r e n t pola r i t yof t h e se lf a n d t h e ot h e r
i s st i lli mme r se d i n t h e subje ct /obje ct d i vi d e .
Econ omi ca n d Poli t i ca l We e kly Jun e 14, 1997 1407
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T h e pr e se n ce of t h e ot h e r a lsocon t i n uously
poi n t st oi t s a bse n ce wh i ch i s ma n i fe st e d by
i t s t r a ce s. T h e i n e vi t a bi li t yof t r a ce a lso
poi n t st ot h e i mpossi bi li t yof h a vi n ga ' fi n a l'
r e fe r e n ce wh i ch d oe s n ot r e fe r t oa n yt h i n g
e lse . T h e con t i n ua lpost pon e me n t of gr a spi n g
t h e ot h e r i n i t sfulln e ssi s t h e a bse n ce of such
a r e fe r e n ce . At t h e most fun d a me n t a lle ve l,
t h e r e i s le ft on ly t h e n ot i on of e t h i ca l
r e spon si bi li t ywh i ch bi n d s t h e se lf a n d t h e
ot h e r . La n gua ge ca n n ot t r a n sce n d t h i s; r a t h e r ,
i t r e fle ct st h i sr e spon si bi li t yi n i t sfulle n t i r e t y
- ' la n gua ge i s e t h i cs' [Ke a r n e y1993].
T h us, t h e ph i losoph i ca ld e li be r a t i on son
t h e ot h e r st r i ke a t t h e fun d a me n t a lpr oble m
wi t h t h e a n t h r opologi ca lot h e r . T h i s ot h e r
i sba se d on a n a r t i fi ci a lsubje ct lobje ct d i vi d e ,
wh i ch , a sma n yph e n ome n ologi st sh a ve lon g
a r gue d , i s un t e n a ble . In fa ct , De r r i d a , a s
quot e d byKe a r n e y, h a s t h i s t osa y, "...i t i s
t h e ot h e r wh i ch i n voke s a n d pr ovoke st h e
subje ct be for e a n yge n ui n cque st i on i n gca n
be gi n " [Ke a r n e y1993]. T h e a bove d i scussi on
pe r h a pspoi n t st ot h e i mpor t a n ce of i n t e gr a t -
i n g t h i s n ot i on of t h e ot h e r wi t h i n t h e
a n t h r opologi ca ld i scour se , but i t i s a ve xi n g
pr oble m a st oh owon e i n t e gr a t e st h e n ot i on
of e t h i ca lr e spon si bi li t ywi t h i n a n e pi st e mo-
logi ca l syst e m. Alt h ough a cle a r a n swe r i s
n ot a va i la ble , i t ope n s us t ot h e i llusi on of
comple t e a n d close d d e scr i pt i on of a n y
' obje ct ' of i n qui r y. It a lso sugge st s t h a t
a n t h r opologysh ould fi n d d i ffe r e n t pa r a d i gms
of kn owle d ge wh i ch a r e ba se d on t h e cr i t i que
of we st e r n me t a ph ysi cs. O n e of t h e wa ys of
d oi n gt h i s i s d i scusse d i n t h e fi n a l se ct i on .
III
Se lf-i n -t h e -O t h e r
Sr i n i va si n h i s a r t i cle (1996) poi n t st oa n
un d e r lyi n gd i ffe r e n ce '
be t we e n a n In d i a n
a n t h r opologi st st ud yi n gIn d i a n t r i ba ls a s
a ga i n st t h e ' for e i gn ' a n t h r opologi st . Si n ce
t h e In d i a n a n t h r opologi st a n d t h e t r i ba ls
i n h a bi t t h e ' sa me cult ur a l ur ve r se ' , h e
sugge st st h a t t h e t r i ba lsa r e n e ve r . )t a llyt h e
ot h e r . T h i s r e la t i on sh i pof i n h a bi t i n -gi n t h e
sa me spa ce le a d sh i m t osugge st t h a t i n t h i s
ca se i t i sse lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r wh i ch i sope r a t i ve .
Wh e t h e r t h i s wi ll be a cce pt a ble t o t h e
pr a ct i ci n gfi e ld wor ke r fr om a n ot h e r cult ur e
i s n ot t h e i ssue a d d r e sse d h e r e . Myma i n
i n t e r e st i s i n un d e r st a n d i n gt h e ot h e r a n d i n
t h i s con t e xt t h e ot h e r use d bySr i n i va sa lso
ca r r i e swi t h i t t h e ba gga ge of t h e a n t h r o-
pologi ca l ot h e r . Se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r i s n ot a n
on t ologi ca lca t e gor y. T h e ot h e r of Le vi n a s
t owa r d swh i ch t h e subje ct h a s t h e e t h i ca l
e n ga ge me n t i s ' pr e -ph i losoph i ca la n d pr e -
cogn i t i ve ' .
But t h e r e i s a n i mpor t a n t con se que n ce of
t h i sse lf-a s-t h e -ot h e r . Iwould li ke t oe xpli ca t e
t h i si n mor e d e t a i lbyba si n gi t on t h e n ot i on
of subje ct i vi t y, wh i ch , Isuspe ct , i sa t t h e r oot
of t h i s vi e w.
If t h e t r i ba lot h e r i s a cce ssi ble a sa t ot a lly
obje ct i fi e d ot h e r t h e n i t d oe sn ot ma t t e r wh o
t h e e t h n ogr a ph e r i s. In ot h e r wor d s, i f t h e
subje ct /obje ct d i vi d e i s e n for ce d i n t h e
t r a d i t i on a lwa y, t h e n t h e obje ct i s ' out t h e r e '
wa i t i n gt obe d i scove r e d a n d ca t e gor i se d by
t h e e t h n ogr a ph e r . T h e a d e qua cyof t h i s
d e scr i pt i on wi ll t h e n d e pe n d on t h e
compe t e n ce of t h e e t h n ogr a ph e r .
Ph e n ome n ologi st s, i n ge n e r a l, h a ve
d i ffi cult yi n a cce pt i n gsuch a fa ci le subje ct /
obje ct d i vi d e . T o t h e m, obje ct i vi t y i s
i n t r i ca t e lye n me sh e d wi t h t h e n ot i on of
subje ct i vi t y. It i s t h e subje ct ' s or i e n t a t i on
wh i ch i n for mswh a t t h e obje ct i s. Fur t h e r
d i scussi on on t h i si sbe yon d t h e scope of t h i s
pa pe r . T h e poi n t n e ve r t h e le ssi s i mpor t a n t
t opla ce t h e se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r a s on e mor e
e xpr e ssi on of t h e pr e se n ce of subje ct i vi t yi n
a llh uma n a ct i vi t y, i n clud i n ge pi st e mology.
T h e pe r ce pt i on of t h e ot h e r . for e xa mple ,
t h e t r i ba lot h e r , i s d e pe n d e n t on t h e subje ct
wh ope r ce i ve s. For a n e n t h r opologi st wh o
h a sa sh a r e d h i st or y/cult ur e wi t h t h e t r i ba ls,
t h e pe r ce pt i on of t h e t r i ba lswi ll d e fi n i t e ly
be d i ffe r e n t be ca use of t h e or i e n t a t i on of t h e
a n t h r opologi st t owa r d s t h e t r i ba l ot h e r .
Sr i n i va s' ca ll t oa st ud yof t h e se lf-i n -t h e -
ot h e r sugge st s a r e vi si on i n t h e wa y
a n t h r opologi st s sh ould t h i n k a bout t h e
subje ct /obje ct d i ch ot omy. Imme r se d a st h e y
a r e i n we st e r n me t a ph ysi ca le pi st e mology,
t h e yfa i lt ose e t h e i mpor t a n ce of r e cogn i si n g
e pi st e mologi ca l syst e ms i n wh i ch t h e
subje ct i ve pla ys t h e ce n t r a lpa r t .
T h e r e sh ould be a li t t le ca ve a t e ve n a mon g
a n t h r opologi st st ot h e cla i m t h a t t h e st ud y
of t r i ba lsbya n In d i a n a n t h r opologi st would
be ' d i ffe r e n t ' t h a n by a ' for e i gn e r ' . But
se r i ousd i sa gr e e me n t sma ya r i se on t h e me r i t s
of t h i s d i ffe r e n ce , pr i ma r i lybe ca use of t h e
be li e f t h a t t h e r e i s some t r ue kn owle d ge
out si d e us wa i t i n gt obe d i scove r e d . But i n
pla ci n gt h i sd e ba t e on t h e ph e n ome n ologi st ' s
posi t i on on subje ct i vi t y, t h e ywould be h a r d
pr e sse d t o coun t e r t h e i mpor t a n ce of t h e
con ce pt of se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r .
I gi ve a r a t h e r t e n uous e xa mple of t h e
i mpor t a n ce of t h e r ole cult ur a lh i st or yof t h e
subje ct pla ys i n e t h n ogr a ph y. If we look a t
t h e i d e a of t h e ot h e r , pr i ma r i lyt h r ough
common la n gua ge use d i n In d i a , we fi n d t h a t
t h e ot h e r h a sa d i ffe r e n t me a n i n gh e r e t h a n
i n t h e we st . T h e r e i s, ma ybe i n a ll In d i a n
la n gua ge s, a con ce pt i on of t h e ot h e r wh i ch
i s d i ffe r e n t fr om t h e wa yt h e wor d i s use d
i n En gli sh or Fr e n ch , for e xa mple . T h e
common lyuse d wor d for t h e ot h e r i n T a mi l,
Ka n n a d a or Ma la ya la m, for e xa mple , i s ' on e
mor e ' . T h e ph r a se ' on e mor e ' h a sd i ffe r e n t
con n ot a t i on s t h a n t h e ' ot h e r ' . Fi r st ly, i t
qua n t i fi e st h i sn ot i on of ot h e r n e ss. Se con d ly,
i t i mpli e s t h a t t h e ot h e r i s n ot h i n gbut on e
mor e of t h e se lf. T h e d i st a n ci n gof t h e se lf
a n d t h e ot h e r i s t ot a llyd i ffe r e n t a s r e fle ct e d
i n such usa ge . T h i s con ce pt i on h i d e s i n i t
t h e n ot i on of se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r . In Hi n d i , t h e
common lyuse d wor d for ot h e r i s t r a n sla t e d
a s ' se con d ' a n d le ss common ly, ' on e mor e ' .
O n ce a ga i n , t h e se a r e qua n t i fi e d t e r mswh i ch
st a n d for t h e ot h e r a n d ca r r ywi t h t h e m t h e
i mpli ca t i on of t h e ot h e r a se xt e n si on of on e ' s
se lf. For a pe r son st e e pe d i n t h i s t r a d i t i on ,
t h i s d oe s ma ke a qua li t a t i ve d i ffe r e n ce i n
con st r uct i n gt h e ot h e r . It h i n k t h i s, i n e sse n ce ,
i s wh a t Sr i n i va s' ca ll t o In d i a n
a n t h r opologi st si s a bout .
IV
Aut obi ogr a ph ya n d t h e
O t h e r -i n -t h e -Se lf
Sr i n i va ssugge st s t h a t t h e a ut obi ogr a ph y
of a n i n d i vi d ua lsh ould be a va li d e t h n o-
gr a ph i ct ool. ' Wh yca n n ot a n a n t h r opologi st
t r e a t h i s own li fe a s a n e t h n ogr a ph i cfi e ld
a n d st ud yi t ?' [Sr i n i va s1996]. I would li ke
t obr i n gt h i si mpor t a n t poi n t i n t ot h e con t e xt
of t h e a bove d i scussi on .
T h e e sse n ce of a ut obi ogr a ph yi st h e ot h e r -
i n -t h e -se lf. Se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r r e spon d st oa
r e la t i on sh i ppr i ma r i lyme d i a t e d spa t i a lly
be t we e n t h e se lf a n d t h e ot h e r . It i s t h i s
pe r pe t ua ld i st a n ce fr om t h e se lf a n d t h e ot h e r
wh i ch un d e r li e se t h n ogr a ph y. (At e mpor a l
ch a r a ct e r i sa lsopr e se n t i n such a r e la t i on sh i p
but i s n ot ma n i fe st e d i n i t s i mme d i a cy.)
T h e ca se of a ut obi ogr a ph yi s d i ffe r e n t . It
i sfun d a me n t a llya n a r t i cula t i on of t h e ot h e r -
i n -t h e -se lf. T h e se lf wr i t e si t s bi ogr a ph ya t
a gi ve n pr e se n t . T h e r e con st r uct i on of t h e
se lf i n t h i sa ct i s t or e cor d e ve n t si n t h e pa st .
T h e a ut obi ogr a ph ybe come s a colle ct i on of
t h e r e si d ue of t h e se lf a n d i s t e mpor a lly
con st i t ut e d . T h e a ut obi ogr a ph y. i s n ot h i n g
mor e t h a n a n i n scr i pt i on of t h e ot h e r wi t h i n
on e se lf. T h e se lf wh i ch i n h a bi t e d i t se lf
be come st h e ot h e r on ce i t goe spa st t h e li vi n g
mome n t . T h us, a li fe ' s r e colle ct i on gi ve s a
se r i e s of pi ct ur e s of t h e ot h e r wh i ch i s
con t i n uouslycon n e ct e d t ot h e pr e se n t , li vi n g
se lf. T h i sot h e r i sca pt ur e d n ot t h r ough spa t i a l
d i st a n ci n gof t h e se lf fr om t h e ot h e r but
pur e lya s a t e mpor a lpr oce ss.
T h e a n t h r opologi ca lot h e r -i n -t h e -se lf i s
t h usa r e cr e a t i on of t h e ot h e r wh i ch i n h a bi t s
t h e se lf. T h e on t ologi ca lcoun t e r pa r t of t h i s
i s n ot a va i la ble , a t le a st i n myr e a d i n gof
Le vi n a s. But t h i s poi n t of omi ssi on ca n be
r e ct i fi e d . In a ut obi ogr a ph ya s a wr i t t e n a ct ,
a s se lf-r e fle ct i on of our pa st , t h e se lf come s
fa ce t o fa ce wi t h t h e ot h e r wh i ch on ce
i n h a bi t e d t h e se lf. Comi n gfa ce t ofa ce wi t h
my-ot h e r h a sa llt h e ch a r a ct e r i st i cs of comi n g
fa ce t ofa ce wi t h a n -ot h e r . Le vi n a si a n e t h i cs
i sd i r e ct e d t ot h e ot h e r out si d e myse lf wi t h out
t a ki n gi n t oa ccoun t t h i s possi bi li t yof t h e
r e spon se of myse lf t ot h e ot h e r wh i ch r e si d e s
i n me . An d t h i s sh ows t h e i mpla usi bi li t yof
t h e e t h i ca lr e spon si bi li t yi n d e pe n d e n t of t h e -
.' d i r e ct i on ' of t h e ga ze t owa r d st h e ot h e r . T h e
e t h i ca l r e spon se t ot h e ot h e r -i n -my-se lf i s
1408 Econ omi c a n d Poli t i ca l We e kly Jun e 14, 1997
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d i ffe r e n t fr om t h e on e t owa r d s a n ot h e r
spa t i a llyse pa r a t e d fr om me . T h e ca ll ' n ot
t oki ll' [De gn i n 1995], i s a cor por e a lca ll
wh i ch n e gle ct s t h e possi bi li t yof t h e ot h e r
wh i ch r e si d e si n me , un le ss, i n t h i s ca se , i t
i s se e n a s a ca ll n ot t ocommi t sui ci d e .
Iwould li ke t oca llt h i se t h n ogr a ph i cst ud y
of on e ' s own li fe a s a ut o-e t h n ogr a ph y. It i s
e a syt oun d e r st a n d wh ysuch a me t h od would
be looke d upon wi t h suspi ci on . T h e d omi n a n t
r e a ct i on a ga i n st t h i s a ct i vi t ywi ll be ba se d
on t h e e xce ssi ve pr e se n ce of subje ct i vi t y
i n such a pr oce ss. Si n ce kn owle d ge ,
a n t h r opologi ca lor ot h e r wi se , h a s ma d e a
vi r t ue of ma ki n gt h e subje ct i n vi si ble , t h i s
pr oce ssof a ut o-e t h n ogr a ph ywould be se e n
a s e pi st e mologi ca llysuspe ct . But a s our
pr e vi ousa r gume n t ssh owe d , t h i sfor ce d e xi le
of t h e subje ct i s t ot a lly mi spla ce d . T h e
r i ch n e ssof e pi st e mologyi n cr e a se s a s t h e
subje ct i ve e le me n t i s a bsor be d . T h us, a t t h e
con flux of a n t h r opologya n d ph i losoph ywe
ca n si t ua t e t h e r e -d i scove r yof t h e subje ct
i n t oour kn owle d ge ga me s. In t h i s ca se ,
a ut o-e t h n ogr a ph ybe come s a va li d t ool of
a n t h r opologi ca l kn owle d ge . Sr i n i va s'
e mph a si s on t h e se lf-i n -t h e -ot h e r a n d h i s
sugge st i on of a ut o-e t h n ogr a ph ysh ows h i s
un d e r lyi n gun e a se wi t h t h e e xclusi on of t h e
subje ct fr om t h e a n t h r opologi ca ld i scour se .
He , st opsa t t h i sjun ct ur e but a n e xt r a pola t i on
of t h e a bove i d e a s n a t ur a llyle a d s me t o
con si d e r fi ct i on a sa va li d e t h n ogr a ph i ct ool.
V
An t h r opologya n d Fi ct i on
T h e r e le va n ce of fi ct i on i n a n t h r opology
i s n ot a n e wi d e a , a s ma n yquot a ble quot e s
bye mi n e n t a n t h r opologi st sa t t e st . Wh a t I
sh a lld oh e r e i s sugge st coge n t r e a son st o
con si d e r fi ct i on a s a va li d t ool i n
a n t h r opology, ba se d on t h e a bove a r gume n t s.
Fi ct i on st a n d sa st h e e xe mpla r of subje ct i ve
con st r uct i on of t h e wor ld . An t h r opologyby
i t s e xclusi on of t h e subje ct i ve posi t i on by
obje ct i fyi n gh uma n commun i t i e s a n d by
cr e a t i n gt h e a n t h r opologi ca lot h e r ca n h a ve
n ouse for fi ct i on . T h i s d i st a n ci n gof fi ct i on
i s be st e xe mpli fi e d by t h e wa y
a n t h r opologi ca l ot h e r i scon st r uct e d , a sba se d
on d i ffe r e n ce a n d cle a r lyr e fe r e n t i a l. T h e
a mbi gui t yof t h e ot h e r i s r e pr e sse d i n or d e r
t oge t a s ' t r ue ' a pi ct ur e a s possi ble . Wi t h i n
such a d ogma , fi ct i on , by i t s e xplod i n g
possi bi li t i e s, i n i t sr e fusa lt oe xi le t h e subje ct ,
i s i mme d i a t e lyr ule d out .
If a n t h r opologyi s wi lli n gt ogobe yon d
t h i sot h e r i t con st r uct sa n d i n t or e cogn i si n g
i t s fun ct i on a s a n swe r i n gt h e e t h i ca lca llof
t h e ot h e r , t h e n we wi ll h a ve t oa d d r e sst h e
r e le va n ce of fi ct i on a s e t h n ogr a ph i cd a t a . It
i s i n t h e n a t ur e of t h e ot h e r t h a t such a
possi bi li t ya r i se s. T h e ot h e r , a s me n t i on e d
a bove , i s a t r a ce - a s we gr a spt owa r d ,>i t ,
i t e sca pe s le a vi n gbe h i n d just t h e t r a ce of
i t s pr e se n ce . T h e comple t e gr a spi n gof t h e
ot h e r i gi mpossi ble . It i sjust t h i sph e n ome n on
wh i ch i s t h e spi r i t of fi ct i on . Ast or yof a
commun i t y, for e xa mple , i s fi lle d wi t h t h e
t r a ce sof t h e ot h e r , i n t e r msof i t spossi bi li t i e s
a n d a ct ua li t i e s. T h e foot pr i n t sof t h e ot h e r
d ot t h e wor k of fi ct i on wh i ch wh e n t a ke n
t oge t h e r wi ll a llowus a n a r ch i ve of t r a ce s.
It i s wi t h i n t h i st h a t t h e ot h e r i s con st i t ut e d .
Fi ct i on i s a lsoa me t h od wh i ch a llows for
subje ct i ve or i e n t a t i on s i n d e scr i bi n gt h e
wor ld . T h e r i ch n e ss, t h e a mbi gui t ya n d
con t r a d i ct i on s of t h i s d e scr i pt i on a r e
a n a t h e ma t ot h e obje ct i ve e pi st e mologi ca l
sch e me s wh i ch r e st on t h e be li e f t owa r d s
a t t a i n i n g comple t e n e ss a n d n on -
con t r a d i ct i on . But a swe h a ve se e n , t h e wor ld
ca n n ot sust a i n t h e bur d e n of be i n gbr oke n
a r t i fi ci a llyi n t ot h e subje ct a n d obje ct ; ca n n ot
ba se i t se lf on t h e t e r r or of fi n i t e a n d close d
kn owle d ge .
T h us, i f a n t h r opologywa n t st oe xt e n d i t s
d oma i n be yon d ' obje ct i ve ' e t h n ogr a ph y, i f
i t i swi lli n gt oa cce pt i t sr e spon si bi li t yt owa r d s
t 4c ot h e r , t h e n t h e r e le va n ce of fi ct i on a s
a va li d e pi st e mologi ca l t ool sh ould be
a ckn owle d ge d . Si n ce t h e ot h e r i s n ot a n
' obje ct ' wh i ch ca n be comple t e lya cce sse d
t h r ough ' r a t i on a l' e pi st e mologi e s, a n d si n ce
i t s pr e se n ce d e r i ve s t h r ough i t s pe r pe t ua l
a bse n ce , fi ct i on be come s on e of t h e most
i mpor t a n t wa ys t h r ough wh i ch t h e t r a ce sof
t h e ot h e r ca n be i d e n t i fi e d .
Pe r h a pst h e r e i s a le sson i n t h i s for a ll
soci a l sci e n ce s, i n clud i n g ph i losoph y.
Ph i losoph y i s n ot i mmun e fr om such a
cr i t i ci sm a n d a r t i fi ci a ld i st i n ct i on sbe t we e n
ph i losoph ya n d li t e r a t ur e a r e a lsoun t e n a ble .
Ror t y, wh ope r h a pssh ould be con si d e r e d a s
t h e spoke spe r son for t h i svi e w,.sh ould h a ve
t h e la st wor d : "...t h e i mpor t a n t pla ce t od r a w
a li n e i s n ot be t we e n ph i losoph ya n d n on -
ph i losoph ybut r a t h e r be t we e n t opi cswh i ch
we kn ow h ow t oa r gue a bout t h ose we d o
n ot " [Ror t y1993].
[It h a n k MNSr i n i va s for e n t h usi a st i c d i scussi on s
wh i ch ma d e t h i s wor k possi ble . I a lsot h a n k
Dh a n u Na ya k for h e r ma n ycr i t i ca lcomme n t s.]
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De gn i n , Fr a n ci sDomi n i c (1995): ' La ugh t e r a n d
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De r r i d a , Ja cque s(1978): Wr i t i n ga n d Di ffe r e n ce ,
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REVIEW O F WO MEN ST UDIES
Apr i l 26, 1997
Pur sui n gT h i r d Wor ld Wome n ' s In t e r e st s: Compa t i bi li t y
of Fe mi n i sm wi t h Gr a ss Root s De ve lopme n t
-Ar ch a n a Ka le ga on ka r
Wome n ' s Pa i d Dome st i c Wor k a n d Rur a lT r a n sfor ma t i on :
ASt ud yi n Sout h Guja r a t
-Uma Kot h a r i
Wome n Pa n ch a ya t Me mbe r si n Ke r a la : APr ofi le
-Ma n u Bh a ska r
Fe ma le In fa n t i ci d e i n T a mi l Na d u: Some Evi d e n ce
-Sh e e la Ra n i Ch un ka t h
VB At h r e ya
Un me t Ne e d for Fa mi lyPla n n i n gi n Guja r a t :
AQua li t a t i ve Explor a t i on
-Le e la Vi sa r i a
T h e Re vi e w of Wome n St ud i e s a ppe a r st wi ce ye a r lya s a supple me n t t ot h e la st
i ssue sof Apr i la n d O ct obe r . Ea r li e r i ssue sh a ve focuse d on : Ge n d e r a n d De ve lopme n t
In d i ce s (O ct obe r 1996); Wome n a n d Sci e n ce (Apr i l 1996); Wome n ' s Ri gh t s a n d
Soci a lCh a n ge (O ct obe r 1995); Ge n d e r Issue si n T h e or ya n d Pr a ct i ce (Apr i l1995);
Wome n ' sMove me n t i n T h i r d Wor ld (O ct obe r 1994); Ge n d e r a n d St r uct ur a l Ad just me n t
(Apr i l 1994), Wome n a n d Publi c Spa ce (O ct obe r 1993); Commun i t y, St a t e a n d
Wome n ' s Age n cy(Apr i l 1993).
For copi e s wr i t e t o
Ci wcula t i on Ma n a ge r
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Econ omi ca n d Poli t i ca l We e kly Jun e 14, 1997 1409
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