Abstract: Anthropology and theology have been in a perennially “awkward relationship,” according to Cambridge social anthropologist Joel Robbins (2006). Yet as definitive boundaries between the “social” and “sacred” are increasingly challenged in a post-secular world, a stark delineation between anthropology and theology too is challenged, leading to burgeoning interdisciplinary conversation which posits there may be “transformative” dialogues between the two disciplines yet to come.
In this pudding seminar, trained anthropologist and theologian – “anthro-theologian” – Florence Harry, reflects on this explosion of recent literature, focussing on the fundamental relationship of the subject and object which underpins both anthropology and theology’s enquiries, albeit in different ways, as they pursue knowledge of an O/other.
Through this focus on fundamental relationality, Florence takes the more radical of these nascent arguments to their logical end, asking how a mutually transformed “anthro-theology” might help us ask questions such as, “what does it mean to be human in relation to other humans whose worlds we can never truly capture?” and, ultimately, “what is the nature and purpose of knowledge of an Other, within the academy, and beyond?”
Biography: Florence has a BA in Social Anthropology and has just completed her MPhil in Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge where she focussed on the relationship between Anthropology and Theology. The paper she is presenting contains ideas many years in the making, and which will be further expounded upon at the European Academy of Religion Conference at St Andrew’s this summer.
All staff, students, and senior members are very warmly invited to attend the Pudding Seminars. Talks usually last between 20-25 minutes, followed by time for questions, comments and discussion before we finish at 1.50pm, to allow people to get to 2pm appointments. Please note that coffee and cake will be available from 1 o’clock with the seminar starting promptly at 1.15pm. Details of all our seminars can be found at: https://www.newn.cam.ac.uk/research/pudding-seminars/forthcoming-pudding-seminars/