Deux comparatismes pour une anthropologie historique

Abstract

Despite the repeated calls by some historians for more than a century, many seldom practice a major element of anthropology: comparativism. This paper will analyze this rejection as a refusal to investigate the constants of the human experience that lead to a-historical conclusions. However, another kind of comparativism is possible, one that examines the contrast between cultures in order to better understand their differences. Using the case of dietary taboos, this paper will look at the conditions and advantages of such a practice.

Keywords

• anthropology
• historical anthropology
• History
• Middle Ages (the)
• taboos
• diet