Beyond the suffering subject: toward an anthropology of the good

Abstract

In the 1980s, anthropology set aside a focus on societies defined as radically ‘other’ to the anthropologists' own. There was little consensus at the time, however, about who might replace the other as the primary object of anthropological attention. In important respects, I argue, its replacement has been the suffering subject. Tracing this change, I consider how it addressed key problems of the anthropology of the other, but I also suggest that some strengths of earlier work – particularly some of its unique critical capacities – were lost in the transition. The conclusion considers how recent trends in anthropology might coalesce in a further shift, this one toward an anthropology of the good capable of recovering some of the critical force of an earlier anthropology without taking on its weaknesses.

Integration and Encounter in Humanitarian Tutelage

“…In this sense, engaging TRUILLOT's Anthropology and the Savage Slot (2003) Joel ROBBINS' Beyond the Suffering Subject suggests a pivotal shift from an "anthropology of the savage" to one of the "suffering subject" (2013). More than being absorbed into the traditional psychological anthropology field, a whole new area, what has been called the "anthropology of suffering" (see FASSIN 2013FASSIN , 2012ROBBINS 2013;FELDMAN & TICKTIN 2010;DAS 2007), is accommodating these topics. The current emphasis on political, religious, ethnic, and gender minorities reflects the contemporary world's ubiquitous political expression of civic contestation.…”

Positieve veiligheid. Een inleiding

“…Deze kritiek geldt overigens niet alleen voor de criminologie. Sociale wetenschappen in het algemeen zijn meer geïnteresseerd in pijn, lijden en onderdrukking dan in wat mensen gelukkig maakt, samenbindt en inspireert (Robbins, 2013). Wetenschappers zien met andere woorden vaak datgene over het hoofd wat Ricard de 'banaliteit van het goede' noemt: 'de ontelbare uitingen van solidariteit en hulpvaardigheid die ons dagelijkse bestaan inkleuren en die van grote invloed zijn op de kwaliteit van onze onderlinge omgang ' (2015: 116 …”

Introduction: reorienting hopes

“…By far the most widespread public reaction, however, seems to be a sense of disillusionment and hopelessness. Yet while the economic and social situation does indeed warrant concern, the broad and comparative perspective afforded by anthropology would indicate that people continue to hope and strive for better lives, no matter how dire the circumstances (e.g., Robbins 2013;Kavedžija and Walker 2015). In this issue, contributors consider feelings, perceptions, and narratives of hope and hopelessness in Japan: tracing, as it were, the work of hope.…”