Instrumentalism

Instrumentalism
Instrumentalism views scientific method as a means to an end rather than itself able to reveal absolute truth.
The most well-known example is that of Copernicus's theory: the sun is the centre of our solar system and has Instrumental Value in that it is to be seen as a useful method of prediction certain astronomical events but is not in fact true - and therefore not in conflict with the Church.

Magic

To the modern mind-set magic is often associated with an irrational or childish view of the world. Where it once was, like philosophy, the equivalent of science, the way of explaining things and affecting the world, it is now seen as poor science or an inadequate means of working with the world.
Another view is that like religion magic has and does serve as a way of keeping social order. Serving as a symbolic function in society, magic like religion becomes a non-rational practice rather than irrational when compared to the predominant modern western conception of the world.

PHYSIOGNOMY

PHYSIOG'NOMY, n. [Gr. nature, and knowing; to know.]

1. The art or science of discerning the character of the mind from the features of the face; or the art of discovering the predominant temper or other characteristic qualities of the mind by the form of the body, but especially by the external signs of the countenance, or the combination of the features.

A Poem by Franz Werfel called Lied vom Gezeichneten

Wenn dich der Tod beruehrt hat,
Bist du nicht mehr beliebt
Eh er dich abgefuehrt hat,
Wirst du schon ausgesiebt.

Du warst ein muntrer Kunde,
Du spieltest schoen Klavier.
Nun rueckt die Freundesrunde
Geheimnisvoll von dir.

Einst hat man dich gepriesen
Wie standest du im Saft,
Jetzt wirst du streng verwiesen
In deine Einzelhaft

Die Wangen wurden kleiner,
Die Augen wurden gross
Vielleicht fragt Irgendeiner:
Was ist mit dem nur los?

Bevor du wirst dich strecken,
Zur letzten Nacht bereit,
Musst du den Zwieback schmecken
Der Ausgestossenheit.

Und eh du darfst entsinken
Dem leergewordnen Kreis,
Bekamst du laengst zu trinken
Des Welttraums Ather-Eis.

Translation:
When death as touched, no one likes you any more, by the time he takes you away you have already been separated out. You used to be a happy fellow, you played the piano well, now your circle of friends mysteriously withdraws from you.
Once people used to praise the way you looked so vigorous, now you are sternly sent into your solitary confinement.
Your cheeks have frown smaller, your eyes have grown bigger. Perhaps somebody asks: what is the matter with him?
Before you lie down ready for the last night you have to taste the dry biscuit of ostracism.
And before you can be allowed to disappear from the now empty circle, you will long ago have had to drink the ether-ice of interstellar space.

anthro-

anthrophobia -( )
The fear of people
anthropoglot -( )
Any animal, such as a parrot, which is capable of copying human speech
anthropolatry -( )
Worship of a human as thought they were a god
anthropomancy -( )
Magic or divination using people, or foretelling the future using the entrails of a sacrificed person
anthropopathy -( )
Ascribing human feelings or traits to God or to the gods
anthropophobia -( )
See anthrophobia
anthroposcopy -( )
The art of determining personality or character from physical features
anthropotheism -( )
The belief that gods began as humans and are human in nature
anthropochore (alt. anthropochory)
Dispersal of organisms, such as seeds, as a result of human activity. See also: anemochory.


omphaloskepsis
a form of religious meditation practiced by Eastern mystics who stare fixedly at their own navels to induce a mystical trance. Also called omphalism

Comparison of Anthropology Definitions

 The Oxford Concise Dictionary 4th Edition. 1950
Anthropology whole science of man; physiological and psychological science of man; study of man as an animal.
 A New General English Dictionary 1765
Anthropology a discourse, dissertation, or description of the whole man, both soul and body: divines call that manner of speaking of God by attributing to him hands, feet, eyes, &c by this name.
 The Large Type Concise English Dictionary No date, circa 60s
Anthropology The science of man and mankind, including the study of the physical and mental constitution of man or his whole nature, as exhibited both in the present and the past.
 Pocket Oxford Dictionary 1st Edition 1934
Anthropology whole science of man; physiological and psychological; study of man as an animal.
 The Penguin English Dictionary 3rd edition 1979
Anthropology science of the nature of man, embracing his physiological aspects, his racial characteristics, and his social and religious development.
 Dictionary of Psychology 2nd Edition 1985
Anthropology science of the nature of man, including his physical characteristics, his cultures and his races. Broadly Anthropology is divided into physical anthropology which includes the study of anatomy and the anthropometric characteristics of various groups, and cultural anthropology which is the study of non-literate cultures.
Macquarie Concise Dictionary 3rd Edition 1998
Anthropology the study that deals with the origin, development (physical, intellectual, cultural, moral, etc.) and varieties of humanity. 2. the study of humanity’s agreement with and divergence from other animals. 3. the science of human beings and their works.
 The King’s English Dictionary No Date circa. 1920s
Anthropology the natural history of the human species.

 The New Imperial Reference Dictionary No Date circa. 1940s
Anthropology the science of man in its widest sense.