Popular Theorizing on Humanity, ‘Otherness’ and Contemporary Global Citizenship

Abstract (English)

Classical anthropological theory, such as evolutionism as well as orientations from Philosophical Anthropology and comparative religion are yet to sufficiently fill the knowledge gap about dynamics of human variation and unfettered global citizenship. Sociocultural constructions of human otherness inform rationalizations of exclusion due to perceived ominous oddness, abnormality, disability, and ‘spoilt identities. Eighteenth and nineteenth century Western ethnologists analyzed some of these phenomena as representing either inferior or genetically degenerated humanity. Both classical Eurocentric ethnology and ethnocentric folk theorizing in non-western societies have depicted some of the human phenotypic (and genotype) and personality variations as problematic embodiments of personhood nonconformities and spiritual ambiguity. Acquired disabilities, especially from environmental risks, disease and illness also feature in epistemologies that rationalize nuances of humanity. This epistemic challenge lingers in contemporary cross-cultural discourse on social inclusion, exclusion and differential human privileges. This panel invites presentations that attempt to discuss and answer one or more of the following questions: How do classical anthropological perspectives on racialization, ethnicization, ethnic identities and human oddities shape emergent scientific theories of humanity? In what ways do historical theorizing about personhood and the essence of being human affect the humanity of peoples of non-western descent? How do constructions of biocultural normalcy contribute to socioeconomic exclusion and inclusion dynamics in traditional and modern societies? What theoretical innovations would reinforce the development of inclusive local and global citizenship? How would grounded theory of humanity and humanism from non-western cultures transform our understanding of human social justice conditions and wellbeing concerns in the modern world?