'Narcissus in the Bush': Methods, Analysis, and Ethics in Napoleon Chagnon's 'Studying the Yanomamö' (1974) (original) (raw)

This essay critically evaluates Napoleon Chagnon's 'Studying the Yanomamö' (1974), examining its methodological and ethical dimensions in ethnographic research. It argues that Chagnon's methodology is flawed due to an incorrect distinction between objective data and subjective experience, ultimately leading to a misrepresentation of the Yanomami people. The analysis emphasizes the importance of reflexivity in ethnographic work and suggests that Chagnon's comprehensive data collection, while commendable, necessitates a critical perspective to avoid ethical pitfalls.