The most important contribution of Anthropology

Dr. John D. OBrien (bd040@YFN.YSU.EDU)
Wed, 12 Apr 1995 01:15:48 -0400

For what it is worth, I disagree that unilinear models are our most
important contribution . . . rather, my vote goes to the traditional
four field + linguistics model of the discipline.

In brief, the most important contribution of the discipline (in my
opinion) is the insight that the material, mental, social and cultural
domains CANNOT be understood in full without reference to the inter-
relationship of all the domains. As such, I'm rather sad to see the four
field approach give way to increasing hyper-specialization - as is the
current trend.

John O'Brien
Youngstown, Ohio