Remembering Thomas Hylland Eriksen: A Unique Trailblazer in Social Anthropology

<img class="image-asset hyperion-css-u06ts1" data-test-tag="image-asset" srcset="https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=1365&w=2048&s=d136f8f28f7f74f63a29d2c37f210161360f96e0 2048w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=960&w=1440&s=dd3c4a97b21a56f312a1ca135966684c087bd6dc 1440w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=683&w=1024&s=527b988c3b5e41c5fd4cf596300f05610fd5ee86 1024w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=653&w=980&s=4eda19b9c6d248115efb36d1d8435059ae421fc9 980w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=520&w=780&s=7db452467d3a3a4478cb08c21b10138b8a617624 780w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=387&w=580&s=5cd14c139731fa4618ea5092e753b6c1564f38c7 580w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=253&w=380&s=8618a13237c5f791fb5b7d645bb6a49fb9ee1ecf 380w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=133&w=200&s=f5d94e5011f5c791b1d14cb3b15845705f1b4883 200w,https://premium.vgc.no/v2/images/cf8949e6-2baa-48e8-ba96-3d97c5c62f1d?fit=crop&format=auto&h=67&w=100&s=4850054ece1d83ef6ef92537ab422960dbf449f6 100w" alt="Thomas Hylland Eriksen (picture) ​made social anthropology accessible to⁤ everyone, ​writes​ Thorgeir Kolshus in ‌his tribute to the professor known for his work on​ globalization, identity,‌ ethnicity, and cultural ⁢diversity. Eriksen was 62 years old.” sizes=”(min-width: 380px) 980px, 100vw” loading=”eager” fetchpriority=”high” src=”https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/i/73xWVK/aspect-ratio:2048 / 1365″/>Thomas Hylland Eriksen (picture) made social anthropology ​accessible to everyone, writes ⁢Thorgeir Kolshus‌ in his tribute to​ the professor known for his ⁣work‍ on globalization, identity, ethnicity, and ⁢cultural diversity. Eriksen

At a time when the label “unique” is easily thrown around, it is a relief ‍to⁢ use it unreservedly: Thomas Hylland Eriksen ⁢was​ unique.

In‌ the hours following the news of his passing on November 27, social media was filled with sorrow and‌ gratitude ⁢from many‍ different quarters.

Everyone seems to have their own Thomas⁣ story.⁣ Those of us ​who have been his students and ​colleagues at the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Oslo‌ have ours. Common to all of them is that they are filled with admiration and love.

This may‍ belong to the genre of tributes, some might argue. But this unison praise was also present in ‌the years before he left us, after eight⁣ years of‍ serious illness.

And⁣ truly, there is⁢ much to applaud.

Generosity and praise over envy and pettiness

The objective results ⁤of‌ an still-young academic career‌ are rarely⁤ as extensive:

60 books, 800 published research papers, three honorary⁤ doctorates, prestigious research medals, the most prestigious project grants, honorary lectures in all directions, every imaginable communication award.‌ In short, Thomas ‌Hylland Eriksen achieved more alone⁢ than an ⁤entire research collective. And he⁤ did it without making enemies.

It is at this point that he moves‌ from outstanding to⁤ unique.

In the academic world, attention and recognition have been ⁢scarce, while envy and pettiness​ have been abundant. He has been so superior⁤ that he has been able to rise above such things – partly by giving encouragement and praise where it is deserved.

All of us who have received a ⁤knowing wink and an acknowledging nod after ⁣delivering a somewhat original argument or pointed out an unexpected connection ‍have grown from the inner‍ celebration ⁤these small gestures have created‍ in us. And most of us‍ have understood how important‌ it‌ is to cultivate that same generosity.

The sum⁤ of this constitutes a strong and lasting cultural change ‌– with Thomas as the role model and first mover.

Made social anthropology accessible to everyone

Thomas is the best example‌ that it is indeed possible to win the whole world without harming ​one’s soul.⁣ He allowed his anarchistic fundamental disposition to govern ⁤his interactions with critics of⁢ all kinds, taking even the most unreasonable interpretations and inputs seriously⁤ and responding to them with⁢ kindness.

Any occasion could be used for education and enlightenment – no one was so contrary that they could not be turned around. And ⁤if the opponent had better arguments, he was open ‌to ‍persuasion himself.

The combination of being exceptionally well-read, contagiously ​engaged,‌ and immensely curious was irresistible to a Norwegian public that was ⁤starved ‍for knowledgeable informality during the ‌media liberalization⁤ of the early ​1990s.​ He associated ideas so fluidly that you could nearly hear‍ the circuits crackle. The audience barely grasped a fraction – ​but that‌ fraction contained more than⁣ most‌ lectures. And​ it was always thought-provoking in the true sense, ⁤serving as a seed for one’s own insights.

Seriousness was never confused with ⁢solemnity. This is how he made social anthropology accessible to everyone. Those ‌of⁢ us who were his students in the 1990s needed three or four​ attempts to ‍spell the subject, but⁤ we loved ​it.⁤ And we loved him as he showed‌ us the creative potential in​ the ⁤art of well-considered diversion⁣ and how the knowledge⁤ that other ways of⁢ organizing communal‍ existence not only existed but ​were actually real, spread‍ all over the vast​ world.

When ⁣this awareness finally falls into place, it is enormously liberating.​ For it means that since societies are created by us ⁣humans, ‍they can ​also​ be changed by us. Such knowledge brings hope. Still.

An academic heavyweight ‍with feather-light steps

Those of us who have ‌had the pleasure of being‌ his colleagues⁤ saw someone ​who never skimmed the ​cream off all the small and large tasks that ‍come with university life. ⁤He effortlessly oscillated between‍ honorary⁣ lectures and patiently corresponding with first-year students who had yet ‌to‌ crack the academic code.

On the contrary: The only time I saw him visibly irritated was when someone referred to him ‌as “a monument.” He did not appreciate ⁣that! For he was⁢ certainly not ​a monument. A monument is unyielding, invites reverence, is placed at a distance from⁤ the rest ⁤of life, and casts long shadows that prevent much else ⁢from growing.

Thomas Hylland Eriksen engaged in restless,‍ curious ‌wanderings interspersed with ‌energetic leaps and avoided all ⁤forms of worship.

He was‍ something as rare as an academic heavyweight with feather-light steps. And he was an exceptionally nice‍ guy.⁤ That combination makes him the unique​ person who ​has enriched social⁢ anthropology and Norwegian ​public life for nearly 40 years. For that, we are all deeply grateful.

Below⁣ are some of Thomas Hylland Eriksen’s⁢ many columns and debate articles:

What were the key ⁤contributions of Thomas Hylland Eriksen to social anthropology?

Us. Thomas Hylland Eriksen was a beacon of ⁣this awareness;​ he inspired countless individuals to explore and challenge the structures around them. His ability ​to ‌communicate complex ideas in an engaging and accessible manner encouraged many to delve deeper into social anthropology, fostering a generation of thinkers who appreciate the ‍richness and diversity ​of cultural experiences.

His⁣ contributions to the field extended‌ beyond academia; he became a public intellectual who influenced broader discussions on globalization and cultural identity. Eriksen’s work illuminated ⁢the ways in which cultures interconnect and evolve, ⁣providing a critical⁢ lens through ‍which to understand the contemporary world.

The​ loss ‌of ⁤Thomas‌ Hylland‍ Eriksen leaves a significant void in ‌both the academic community and the lives ​of those who ⁤were fortunate enough to learn from him. His legacy will endure through the hearts and minds ⁤of ⁢his‍ students, colleagues, and all who⁤ were touched by his generosity of spirit and ​intellect.⁢ As we reflect on his remarkable life, we carry forward the lessons he imparted — to remain curious, to engage openly with others,​ and‍ to recognize the beauty in our diverse human tapestry.