#324 Edward Fischer: The Anthropology of Wellbeing, The Good Life, Values, And Markets
RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 12th, 2020.
Dr. Edward Fischer is the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at Vanderbilt University. He is also the founder of Maní+, an award-winning social enterprise in Guatemala that develops and produces locally sourced foods to fight malnutrition. Dr. Fischer advises the WHO-Europe on the cultural contexts of health, and serves on the board of the Maya Education Foundation. His research focusses on issues of political economy, values, wellbeing, and development. He has authored or edited a number of books, including most recently The Good Life: Aspiration, Dignity, and the Anthropology of Wellbeing (2014). Dr. Fischer is currently working on a project that examines the ways moral and economic values are intertwined in the high-end coffee market.
In this episode, we focus mostly on the anthropology of wellbeing, also known as positive anthropology, as developed by Dr. Fischer. Before tackling the topic, we talk about the different branches of anthropology in the US. We then get into questions regarding the good life, values, stated and revealed preferences, and meta-preferences. We also mention how the market allows for the expression of values. Finally, we talk about Dr. Fischer’s work on the Maya culture in Guatemala, their values, and in what ways they connect with coffee production.
Time Links:
The different branches of anthropology
The anthropology of wellbeing
What is a good life?
About human universals
What are values?
Stated and revealed preferences, and the self
Meta-preferences
Do values have a biological basis?
Aspiration and opportunity, dignity and fairness, commitment to a larger purpose.
How does the market allow for the expression of values?
Maya culture in Guatemala, their values, and in what ways they connect with coffee production
A global network of cultures
Follow Dr. Fischer’s work!
Follow Dr. Fischer’s work:
Faculty page: http://bit.ly/2qXQVzm
Personal website: http://bit.ly/31PhRPM
ResearchGate profile: http://bit.ly/35o8nvZ
The Great Courses profile: http://bit.ly/2SmvL95
Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38qOQfK
The Good Life: Aspiration, Dignity, and the Anthropology of Wellbeing: https://amzn.to/2HizQos