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From Hermeneutics to Practice Theory: A Philosophical Reflection on James Clifford's Question of#br# Ethnography Methodology

Lei Bao   

  1. Institute of Ethnic Culture Research, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671003, China
  • Received:2018-06-26 Revised:2019-05-31 Online:2019-09-15 Published:2019-09-15

Abstract: The interpretive anthropology theory represented by Clifford Geertz ignores the practical characteristics of fieldwork
research methods, and therefore is unable to respond positively to the anthropological study of "objectivity". Although it contains a lot
of valuable insights, still it will inevitably fall into the stereotype of relativism and nihilism. This article attempts to analyze the
"objectivity" problem of anthropological research and the certainty of understanding through the interpretation of Marxist epistemology
and the interpretation of the understanding of hermeneutics. The comparative analysis provides a solid platform and a deeper
understanding and strong response to James Clifford's question at the level of anthropological research methodology.

Key words: ethnography, fieldwork research method, hermeneutics, practice theory