European anthropology: Transnationality and reflexivity within a shared horizon of meaning

Abstract

Why is European anthropology still a controversial concept? In this commentary, I propose to locate European anthropology in its epistemology, by which is primarily meant the discipline’s reflexivity, and in its transnational setting which requires not only communication across national borders but also equality in exchanges among European anthropologists. Also, I argue that European anthropology is to be found in the common horizon of meaning that is shared by European anthropologists. Along these lines, I conclude that dealing with the “controversy” of European anthropology entails engaging with further controversies.