Meaning: Clifford Geertz, an influential American anthropologist, made the statement "I've written a lot of books which are written from the moon - the view from nowhere." This quote encapsulates Geertz's perspective on the role of the anthropologist in studying and interpreting different cultures. It reflects his belief that objectivity is unattainable in the study of human behavior and that the anthropologist's perspective is always influenced by their own background and experiences.

Geertz was a prominent figure in the field of interpretive anthropology, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the meanings and symbols that shape human behavior within a particular cultural context. He argued that the anthropologist's task is not to achieve a detached and objective view from nowhere, but rather to immerse themselves in the culture they are studying and interpret it from within.

When Geertz talks about writing "from the moon," he is alluding to the impossibility of achieving a completely neutral and impartial standpoint. Instead, he suggests that anthropologists are always situated within their own cultural and historical context, and this inevitably shapes their understanding of other cultures. By acknowledging this inherent subjectivity, Geertz encourages anthropologists to approach their work with humility and self-awareness, recognizing that their interpretations are always filtered through their own perspectives.

Geertz's quote also speaks to the broader debate within anthropology about the nature of objectivity and the role of the observer in the study of culture. Traditional anthropological approaches often sought to present an objective and authoritative account of a particular culture, drawing on the assumption that the anthropologist could adopt a neutral and impartial viewpoint. Geertz's perspective challenges this notion, arguing that objectivity is an unattainable ideal and that the anthropologist's interpretations are inevitably shaped by their own cultural biases and situatedness.

In many ways, Geertz's approach aligns with postmodern critiques of objectivity and universalism, which argue that all knowledge is inherently situated and shaped by the perspectives of those who produce it. By embracing the idea of writing "from the moon," Geertz encourages anthropologists to be reflexive about their own positionality and to recognize the limitations of their interpretations.

Geertz's work has had a profound impact on the field of anthropology, shaping the way in which scholars approach the study of culture and meaning. His emphasis on thick description, which involves providing detailed accounts of the meanings and symbols that shape social life, has become a central tenet of interpretive anthropology. Moreover, his critique of the "view from nowhere" has influenced a broader shift within the discipline towards a more reflexive and self-aware approach to ethnographic research.

In conclusion, Clifford Geertz's quote "I've written a lot of books which are written from the moon - the view from nowhere" encapsulates his perspective on the role of the anthropologist as an interpreter of culture. It reflects his belief that objectivity is unattainable in the study of human behavior and that the anthropologist's perspective is always influenced by their own background and experiences. This quote has been influential in shaping the way anthropologists approach their work, encouraging a more reflexive and self-aware stance towards the study of culture.