WRITING AGAINST CULTURE? REFLECTIONS ON LILA ABU-LUGHOD AND CLIFFORD GEERTZ ´S ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY

Abstract

Lila Abu-Lughod makes a valuable criticism to Anthropology research. The concept of culture for her is good for legitimating political and hegemonic speeches and suspending the differences and distances among men. We will reflect upon this invitation. Specifically, it is discussed if the proposal of writing against culture can distance from hermeneutics that operates under the logic of contrast. In order to achieve this, a methodology based on the idea of connection is subject to criticism.  At the same time Abu-Lughod’ s criticism to Clifford Geertz´s research proposal is emphasized. Relationships and distances between both authors are shown, underlining the coincidence regarding the idea of familiarity and the complexity of assuming it in the investigative practice.