O artigo procura refletir sobre a relação entre antropologia e filosofia a partir de características centrais da descrição etnográfica e da importância da dimensão simbólica da vida social. Tendo como referência as diferentes manifestações da vida social e a diversidade das sociedades e grupos ou segmentos sociais estudados pelos antropólogos, o artigo examina as condições de inteligibilidade do trabalho etnográfico como uma questão que perpassa a pesquisa antropológica onde quer que ela tenha lugar, impondo permanentemente uma reflexão de caráter filosófico para dar conta de problemas concretos, bem circunscritos e empiricamente delimitados. Neste empreendimento, o texto explora inicialmente as condições de inteligibilidade de práticas de bruxaria estudadas pelos antropólogos, para concluir com uma discussão sobre a inteligibilidade das disputas judiciais e das demandas por direitos em sociedades modernas.

This article reflects on the relation between anthropology and philosophy, starting from the central characteristics of ethnographic description and the importance of the symbolic dimension to social life. Taking as its reference the different manifestations of social life and the diversity of societies and groups, or social segments, studied by anthropologists, the article examines the conditions of intelligibility of ethnographic work as an issue that spans anthropological research wherever it occurs. As such, it permanently imposes a reflection, of a philosophical character, that seeks to account for concrete, well-circumscribed and empirically delimited problems. With this in mind, the article first explores the conditions for the intelligibility of witchcraft practices as studied by anthropologists, and concludes with a discussion on the intelligibility of juridical disputes and the demand for rights in modern societies.

O ARTIGO discute a singularidade do racismo no Brasil como um tipo de discriminação cívica articularmente importante mas que, não obstante, reflete um padrão muito mais abrangente de desrespeito a direitos e de agressão à cidadania. Tendo como foco práticas discriminatórias na vida cotidiana, que seriam estimuladas pela desarticulação entre esfera pública e espaço público no Brasil, o autor identifica o potencial das cotas no plano simbólico como instrumento de combate ao racismo e de afirmação da cidadania.

THE ARTICLE discusses the singularity of Brazilian racism as a type of civic discrimination that is particularly important, but which, nevertheless, reflects a much broader pattern of disrespect for rights and aggressions to citizenship. Focusing on practices of discrimination in everyday life, which are stimulated by a disarticulation between the public sphere and public space in Brazil, the author identifies the potential of quotas at the symbolic level as a weapon against racism and as an assertion of citizenship.

Drawing on the debate about Quebec’s demand to be recognized as a distinct society within the Canadian federation, the article discusses the relationship between democracy and hierarchy. Differently from the claims usually associated with the modern notion of citizenship, Quebec’s demand is characterized by the affirmation of a unique identity that cannot be universalized and whose recognition is seen as a right. Within this framework, the lack of such recognition is taken as an act of inconsiderateness toward the citizen’s dignity or personhood. In associating the value of equality to the idea of uniformity, Canada stands as a good example of the modern difficulty of adequately treating citizens’ rights regarding identity or the dignity of the person.

L’article discute le rapport entre démocratie et hiérarchie, à partir du débat de la demande de reconnaissance du Québec comme société distincte au sein de la fédération canadienne. Contrairement aux revendications reposant habituellement sur la notion moderne de citoyenneté, la demande du Québec se caractérise par l’affirmation d’une identité singulière, non universalisable, où la reconnaissance est comprise comme un droit. Dans ce cadre, l’absence de reconnaissance est vue comme un acte de déconsidération à la dignité ou à la personne du citoyen, ce qui signifierait une insulte d’ordre moral. En assimilant la valeur de l’égalité à l’idée d’uniformité, le Canada pourrait bien représenter la difficulté moderne d’énoncer de façon appropriée les droits concernant l’identité ou la dignité du citoyen.