Anthropologists in Arms

The Ethics of Military Anthropology

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book Anthropologists in Arms by George R. Lucas Jr., AltaMira Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: George R. Lucas Jr. ISBN: 9780759119192
Publisher: AltaMira Press Publication: October 15, 2009
Imprint: AltaMira Press Language: English
Author: George R. Lucas Jr.
ISBN: 9780759119192
Publisher: AltaMira Press
Publication: October 15, 2009
Imprint: AltaMira Press
Language: English

Anthropologists in Arms looks at the moral and ethical debates surrounding the recent development of 'military anthropology'—particularly the practice of embedding anthropologists with combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lucas traces the troubled history of social scientists collaborating with national military, security, and intelligence organizations and shows how these complex and frequently misunderstood historical concerns contribute to the contemporary moral controversy. He gives special attention to the Human Terrain Systems project developed by the U.S. Army under the direction of General David Petraeus. Although this project has been criticized as unethical by academic anthropologists in the U.S. and the U.K., Lucas shows that the moral status of that program is much more ambiguous than these blanket criticisms would suggest. Anthropologists in Arms concludes with a call for a thorough review of HTS itself, and suggests alternative strategies for providing anthropological knowledge to military forces engaged in irregular warfare—knowledge that might, in turn, help military forces to ameliorate the suffering imposed on noncombatants, while respecting the privacy, security, and human rights of indigenous populations.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Anthropologists in Arms looks at the moral and ethical debates surrounding the recent development of 'military anthropology'—particularly the practice of embedding anthropologists with combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lucas traces the troubled history of social scientists collaborating with national military, security, and intelligence organizations and shows how these complex and frequently misunderstood historical concerns contribute to the contemporary moral controversy. He gives special attention to the Human Terrain Systems project developed by the U.S. Army under the direction of General David Petraeus. Although this project has been criticized as unethical by academic anthropologists in the U.S. and the U.K., Lucas shows that the moral status of that program is much more ambiguous than these blanket criticisms would suggest. Anthropologists in Arms concludes with a call for a thorough review of HTS itself, and suggests alternative strategies for providing anthropological knowledge to military forces engaged in irregular warfare—knowledge that might, in turn, help military forces to ameliorate the suffering imposed on noncombatants, while respecting the privacy, security, and human rights of indigenous populations.

More books from AltaMira Press

Cover of the book Cinderella Story by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book History in the Making by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Human Remains by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Stewardship: Collections and Historic Preservation by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book The Zimbabwe Culture by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book San Spirituality by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Sacred Games, Death, and Renewal in the Ancient Eastern Woodlands by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Handbook for Small Science Centers by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book The Evolution of Modern Humans in Africa by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book In Pursuit of Gender by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Class Questions by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Deconstructing Travel by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Handbook of Archaeological Theories by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Early Civilizations of Southeast Asia by George R. Lucas Jr.
Cover of the book Surface Collection by George R. Lucas Jr.
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy