Juan Luis Lorda. Curso de Antropología 10. La acción externa

Understanding Human Anthropology and Volition

Overview of Anthropological Concepts

• The session concludes a cycle on anthropology, focusing on human description through philosophy and methods related to sensory knowledge.

• Discusses the relationship between sensory knowledge (affectivity) and intelligence, highlighting how these elements interact in human cognition.

• Emphasizes the importance of understanding humans as relational beings, which is crucial for various anthropological discussions.

Exploring Volition and Attention

• Examines the concept of voluntary actions, distinguishing between intelligent inclinations and self-determined choices in free will.

• Highlights the significance of attention control as an expression of freedom, directing consciousness towards specific thoughts or actions.

The Role of Physicality in Action

• Discusses voluntary bodily movements, noting that not all muscles are under conscious control; some operate autonomously (e.g., heart).

• Explores how voluntary muscle control allows humans to interact with their environment effectively.

Tools and Techniques: Human Transformation of Reality

• Describes intelligence's role in designing tools that enhance human capability to manipulate the external world.

• Introduces the concept of hands as unique instruments enabling precise manipulation, setting humans apart from other animals.

Cultural Context and Environmental Interaction

• Connects tool use to broader cultural developments, emphasizing that all creations stem from human ingenuity.

• Argues that humans do not live directly within nature but create cultural environments (homes, clothing), showcasing their transformative abilities.

Cultural Creation and Human Dimensions

The Role of Dialogue in Society

• The act of dialogue with others is essential for configuring societies, representing a form of external free action that allows individuals to create cultural realms.

• Cultural creation includes not only practical objects but also beauty; art transforms the environment for aesthetic appreciation rather than mere utility.

Art and Social Organization

• Through language, humans generate laws, customs, and social organizations, which are intangible yet significant aspects of human existence.

• These elements can be studied within anthropology or philosophy, highlighting the interconnectedness between culture and human intelligence.

Aesthetic and Moral Dimensions

• The aesthetic sense enables humans to perceive and create beauty; this capacity is fundamental to understanding human experience.

• Moral reasoning involves deliberation about actions, where practical decisions can become moral dilemmas based on ethical considerations.

Religious Sentiments in Humanity

• Humans possess a religious sense that manifests in various ways across cultures, often tied to concepts of happiness, justice, and existential questions.

• Despite contemporary agnosticism being prevalent today, historical perspectives reveal that religion has been a constant aspect of human culture.

Summary of Human Capacities

• The discussion emphasizes two primary modes of action: creating through hands (artifacts) and through words (social structures).