Beyond Theories of Practice

The video discusses the shift in anthropology and sociology from an anthropocentric view, which focuses on individual behavior, to theories of practices that consider routines and interactions with the environment. Despite progress, a complete departure from anthropocentrism remains challenging. Theories of practices emphasize social routines over individual actions, but still often center on human engagement. The video highlights the need for further evolution in understanding the social world beyond human-centric models.

What is the main shift in focus that anthropologists and sociologists are making in their study of the social world?

• From individual people to routines and practices

• From cultural studies to environmental studies

• From individual behavior to collective behavior

• From economic models to social models

In the context of social practices, what does the example of dance illustrate?

• Dance involves routines and interactions with the environment

• Dance is a cultural phenomenon unrelated to social practices

• Dance is solely about individual expression

• Dance is primarily about the music and not the people

What is a key challenge in moving away from anthropocentric models in social sciences?

• Insufficient data on social practices

• Lack of interest in non-human elements

• Difficulty in understanding complex social interactions

• The persistent focus on human engagements and activities

How do current models in anthropology and sociology still reflect anthropocentrism?

• By focusing on economic factors

• By emphasizing human interactions with the world

• By ignoring cultural differences

• By prioritizing environmental concerns

What reaction do anthropologists often have towards the critique of individualism in economics?

• They think individualism is a new concept

• They feel they have already moved past individualism

• They are indifferent to the critique

• They believe individualism is essential